Nearly a quarter of a million people watched the 2026 Lloyds Tour of Britain Women on the official YouTube channel across the five-stage event – five times higher than in 2025.

The biggest Lloyds Tour of Britain Women brought world-class women’s cycling into Powys and created more opportunities for people to watch, experience and engage with elite sport.

Tour of Britain Women, Powys (Image: Thomas Jones.)

The tour came to the county last Saturday (August 22) – beginning in Llanidloes at 11am, before sweeping through Rhayader, Nantmel, Crossgates, Penybont, Bleddfa, Knighton, Norton, Presteigne, Gladestry, Clyro and Glasbury, before reaching the finish in Hay-on-Wye.

The women’s race – one of the most prestigious on the WorldTour calendar – featured nine of the world’s top ten ranked teams with some of the world’s best riders battling it out for the jerseys.

Viewers tuned in over five incredible stages, including the stage in Powys, which Lorena Wiebes won.

Riders roar through Rhayader town centre, past its iconic clock tower. (Image: Mogwai Media.)

Councillor Glyn Preston, Cabinet Member for a More Prosperous Powys, who went to watch the race finish in Hay-on-Wye, said: “What a fantastic way to showcase our county on the national stage and on live TV as well.

“The riders set off this morning in Llanidloes at 11am. The streets were filled, and I know a huge number of people have enjoyed it across the day.

“It really feels like today has been a sign of things to come with the Tour de France Stage Three Grand Départ coming to Powys next year, so we’re really excited for that as well.

“I hope we continue to see locals and visitors taking to the road to enjoy our wonderful scenery, while keeping fit, on bikes.”

Tour of Britain Women, Powys (Image: Distant Vision Photography)

Darren Henry, Managing Director of British Cycling Ventures, said: “At such an exciting time for women’s sport, it was fantastic to see some of the best riders in the world racing on British roads.

“It was equally encouraging to see the audience for the race continue to grow, with our live YouTube viewership more than five times higher than last year.

“Reinforced through the coverage across our broadcast partners ITV and TNT Sports, and through our growing network of international broadcast partners, the 2026 edition has taken the Tour to fans around the world.”