BICESTER is to host the start of the prestigious Women’s Tour professional cycling race this summer.

Women will pedal from the town on Monday, June 8, making it the second year that Oxfordshire will host the Women’s Tour.

Oxfordshire pro-cyclist, 18-year-old Katie Scott, will join community cycling groups and local children from Bicester’s Longfields Primary School and The Cooper School; at the official announcement in the town’s Garth Park today.

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Miss Scott is a CAMS–Tifosi team rider, from Faringdon and will be one of around 100 women taking part in the gruelling tour.

All district councils in Oxfordshire, Oxford City Council and Oxfordshire County Council are working in partnership with race organisers Sweet-Spot to deliver the event.

Cycling fans are expected to visit to watch the race, generating additional business in the county. After leaving Bicester, riders will weave their way through towns, villages and rural areas.