Stage One of the Aviva Women's Tour from Southwold to Norwich will include Chain Reaction Cycles Sprints and Strava Queen of the Mountains sections, it was announced today.

https://infogr.am/z4VavcpaKDSR1Zfa

It is known for being one of the flattest parts of the United Kingdom.

But for one day in June, sections of roads in this region will become mountains.

Further details for the first stage of the Aviva Women's Tour were revealed yesterday, including the location of the 'Queen of the Mountains' and 'Sprint' elements.

Stage One of the tour will see professional female cyclists racing from Southwold to Norwich. The opening stage of the Tour, which will start in the Suffolk resort at 10am on June 15, will see a Strava Queen of the Mountains climb through Halesworth, and another between Flixton and Homersfield.

And Beccles will host the first Chain Reaction Cycles Sprint of the race, with points and time bonuses for the first three across the line on Lowestoft Road, followed by another sprint in Pulham Market.

Stage One will see the cyclists come to a dramatic finish outside Norwich's Guildhall between 1.30pm and 2.15pm on the day, showcasing the city to millions of viewers watching the race each evening on ITV4.

It will be the first time that the Aviva Women's Tour has visited either Norwich or Norfolk, although the men's Tour of Britain has been to the region, including in September 2015, when 120 cyclists whizzed through the city.

Peter Hodges, from Tour organisers Sweetspot said: 'This is the third year of the women's tour and we've come to Suffolk every year, and it has been great. But this year we're going to Norfolk as well.

'The men's Tour passes through Norwich and we get great support –the crowds turn out in force.'

Ben Jones, Director of Active Norfolk, said: 'We are really excited to be welcoming the Aviva Women's Tour to Norfolk for the first time this year.

'With increasing participation of women and girls high on our agenda, this will be an inspirational day and will encourage the people of Norfolk to get out on their bikes this summer.

'We expect thousands of people to be out on the day with a festival atmosphere at the finish line in the city centre.'

As well as being a feel-good boost for the area and a pull for tourists, it is hoped the Tour will inspire people cheering the riders on to get on their bikes themselves.

Cabinet member for health at Suffolk County Council, Tony Goldson, said: 'It's a fantastic event.

'We're going to have all these elite athletes in the county, and you'll be able to see them right up close.

'What we've got to do is build on this and get people to understand they started cycling at a young age and they've built up to this.

'If people were to get a bit more active and eat well, it can help prevent early onset of things like diabetes and coronary heart disease.'

An interactive Ordnance Survey map of the stage will be published later this month and estimated times of arrival for each town, village and city it will pass through.

•Will you be doing something special for the Women's Tour? Email polly.grice@archant.co.uk.