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Cotswolds sportive to be held in honour of the late Sharon Laws

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Joe Robinson
23 May 2018

Stage of women's Tour of Britain to also be held in memory of rider as it pasts through the Cotswolds

Sharon Laws's childhood school, The Cotswold School, will hold its first sportive this July in memory of the late rider who lost her battle with cancer last year. 

Named the 'Sharon Laws Sportive', the celebration will tackle a 43 mile route - a mile for each year of her life - raising money for both Jo's Cervical Cancer Trust and The Cotswold School.

The course will start and finish at the school in Bourton on 7th July.

En route the 43 mile challenge will take on some of the Costwolds most picturesque villages including The Rissingtons, Bledington, Shipton-under-Wychwood, Burford, Windrush and Sherborne.

Giving the ride an inclusive feel, there will also be the option of a shorter course for families and children. Information for entry can be found at the British Cycling website.

In the latter part of 2016, Laws was diagnosed with cervical cancer and after a year's battle unfortunately lost her life on 16th December 2017. 

After turning to professional bike racing unusually late, turning pro at 33 years old, Laws managed to take the national road and time trial championships in 2012 and 2008 respectively while also representing Team GB at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

After retirement, Laws also formed part of ITV4's team for coverage of the Women's Tour while also acting as an environmental consultant for the British government and United Nations.

With the sportive in July, Stage 4 of the Women's Tour of Britain will also pay homage to the late rider, with the day dedicated to Laws.

The stage, taking place on 16th June, will run through the Costwolds before finishing in Worcester.

Race organiser Mick Bennett spoke of the honour of dedicating the day to her.

'It will be a tremendously picturesque route taking us near Broadway and Snowshill on the northern edge of the Cotswolds, he said.

'These were roads that would have been familiar with our former Queen of the Mountains Sharon Laws, who lived and trained in the area.

'Like everyone we were deeply saddened by the loss of Sharon in December last year. She lit up the first two editions of the race and returned in 2017 to add her expert analysis to the ITV4 commentary, and we would like to dedicate this stage to her.'


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