Routes for the first ever women’s Tour of Britain cycle race have been announced today - with two stages of the ride coming through Suffolk and parts of north Essex.

East Anglian Daily Times: Stage three of the women's Tour of BritainStage three of the women's Tour of Britain (Image: Archant)

The Tour will take place over five stages between Wednesday, May 7 and Sunday, May 11, with the final stage finishing in Bury St Edmunds.

East Anglian Daily Times: Stage five of the women's Tour of BritainStage five of the women's Tour of Britain (Image: Archant)

Stage three and five will be making their way through parts of Suffolk.

Stage three starts from Felixstowe seafront at 11am on Friday, May 9. It will go through Brightwell, Little Bealings, Kesgrave, Ipswich, Freston, Manningtree, Great Oakley, Beaumont, Thorpe-le-Soken and Great Holland, finishing in Marine Parade, Clacton-on-Sea, at about 1.20pm.

Stage five begins in Harwich at 10am on Sunday, May 11. It takes in Mistley, East Bergholt, Hadleigh, Great Cornard, Sudbury, Long Melford, Lavenham, Great Finborough and Little Whelnetham, ending up in Angel Hill, Bury St Edmunds, at about 12.50pm.

The ride will bring some of the top names in women’s cycling to the region.

Alan Murray, Suffolk County Council’s cabinet member for health and adult care, said: “It’s fantastic to see such successful, and high profile names in women’s cycling sign up to take part in the first ever women’s tour in the UK, which I’m delighted to see come to Suffolk.

“This is providing a fantastic opportunity to showcase the county’s picturesque towns, villages and countryside by linking such a mass international event with world and Olympic champions to local communities.”

TJ Haworth, Suffolk Coastal cabinet member for customers, communities and leisure, said: “This is the first time a major event like this has started in the unique environment of Felixstowe. People can see the stars of women’s cycling up close, while enjoying the sights, sounds and even ice-cream of a historic seaside town. It should be an iconic start to stage three of the Women’s Tour.”