Ahead of game

THE debate on equality for women often falls down in sport – where female competitors are regularly paid less than their male counterparts.

Sir Andy Murray has been one of the leading supporters of equal prize money. Now Scotland is leading the way again.

The Women’s Tour of Scotland cycling event is the first to offer equal prize money. Hopefully that will inspire a new generation of women and girls to take up the sport.

A NEW three-day women’s elite cycling event will take place in Scotland this summer.

The Women’s Tour of Scotland will be the first female cycling race to match the prize money of an equivalent men’s race, with a total prize fund of £50,000.

The event will take place from August 9 to 11, covering 217 miles over three stages. Up to 20 of the world’s leading elite teams are expected to take part.

Olympian, World and Commonwealth champion Katie Archibald hopes to race as part of a Scottish team.

Launching the event in Edinburgh yesterday, she said: “The tour will cover some gorgeous roads – and not only will it showcase aggressive racing but also the amazing scenery in Scotland. The big ambition is to inspire girls and women who will watch the race and see that it’s a world they can be part of.”

The race will start on Dundee’s waterfront with the first stage taking in the Tay Road Bridge before the riders head to Dunfermline through Fife.

The second stage will start in Glasgow’s George Square and finish in the centre of Perth, after a route through the Trossachs that includes Duke’s Pass.

The last day’s racing will start and finish in Edinburgh’s Holyrood Park and will include three Queen of the Mountain climbs in the final miles of the tour. As part of the event’s legacy and development programme, each start and finish will feature “activation zones” for spectators, local residents, cycling clubs, visitors and families to get involved and be inspired to ride. Darren Clayton, managing director of organisers Zeus Sport, said: “We have set out a clear commitment to put women’s cycling, parity of pay and sustainability at the forefront of the event.”