The world’s most prestigious women’s cycling event is once again returning to Carmarthenshire with the Women’s Tour of Britain 2022 hitting the county for its Final Stage Five.

And this could well be the race decider for champion Dutch cyclist Demi Vollering as Carmarthenshire’s route presents one of the toughest challenges in the six-day race.

This is only the second hill-top finish since the Women’s Tour began eight years ago, with cyclists battling the 7.2 kilometre Black Mountain ascent where they will average a gradient of 5.3 per cent.

And in certain sections, this gradient ramps up to a vicious 21 per cent.

Carmarthenshire remains a firm favourite with race route organisers after Pembrey Country Park hosted the Grand Départ of the men’s Tour of Britain as well as the overall finish of the Women’s Tour in 2019.

It was during this final stage that British rider Hannah Barnes climbed it in the fastest time of 20:50.

Some 108 cyclists will be tackling the challenges to reach the finishing line on top of the Black Mountain between Llangadog and Brynamman on Friday, June 10.

Their route will starts at Pembrey Country Park at 10.45am and riders competing for the title will go through Pinged, Carway, Pontyberem, Horeb, Llansawel, and Llangadog.

A rolling road closure will take place along the 65-mile route which will come into action at 10.45am and continue until 13.50.

Roads will be re-opened once the cyclists have passed through and a full road closure will be in place over the Black Mountain from 5am-5pm.

A helicopter camera crew will be following the race and the event can be viewed with a broadcast on ITV4.

The race will culminate with a prestigious finale six days later on Saturday, June 11.

Commenting on the event, Carmarthenshire County Council’s Chief Executive, Wendy Walters said the county’s selection will prove a significant boost for Carmarthenshire’s economy.

“We’re thrilled that once again we’ve been chosen to host this top cycling event," she said.

"Previous years have brought an immediate economic boost to the tourism sector as well as providing a great deal of positive media coverage and I’m certain the same thing is going to apply once against in 2022.”

More information regarding the Women’s Tour is listed on the website https://www.womenstour.co.uk/stages/stage-5/