The queen stage of the 2022 Women’s Tour was waved off for its toughest ever summit finish to the top of the Black Mountain on Friday, June 10.
The cyclists left Pembrey Country Park at 11.45am for a gruelling climb through Carway, Pontyates, Pontyberem, Nantgaredig and Llangadog and all riders are expected to finish at around 2.30pm.
A rolling road closure will take place along the 65-mile route from 10.30am until approximately 14.30pm although roads will be re-opened once the cyclists have passed through.
The 66.3 mile penultimate stage takes the race from sea level at Pembrey Country Park to the summit of the Black Mountain which equates to a massive 7.2kilometre climb averaging 5.3 per cent but ramping up to 21 per cent in places.
Current leader is Australia’s Grace Brown after she sprinted to victory in Welshpool yesterday afternoon.
Brown edged out the 2017 champion Kasia Niewiadoma and Elisa Longo to claim the stage four win having initiated the move that took the trio clear five kilometres from the line.
She now leads Niewiadoma by four seconds and Longo Borghini by six.
“I wanted to be aggressive in the final,” said Brown.
“It’s cool when you play out your plan and it comes off so I was excited, and also I guess a bit relieved because this is my first win of the year and I’ve been wanting it for a little while.
“Obviously I want to be up there on the final climb and if I finish with the top climbers then I can hopefully retain the jersey.”
Stage five is expected to finish at the summit of the Black Mountain at approximately 2pm, with live coverage on Eurosport Player and the GCN+ app from 11.30am.
A full road closure will be in place over the Black Mountain from 5am-5pm and spectators are being urged to plan their journey in advance as the roads are likely to be busy.
For full race details and timings, spectator information, road closures, parking and bus service, and more visit newsroom.carmarthenshire.gov.wales
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