Stockport will be hosting the Tour de France Femmes trophy this weekend, ahead of the race itself coming to the borough next year.

The Tour de France Femmes will be passing through the borough on 31 July 2027 as part of its UK 'grand departure' stage, before moving onto the continent.

And to mark 300 days until the race starts, the trophy will be coming to Stockport from 3-4 October as part of the official trophy tour.

The trophy will be on display at Rita Ray's - the Weir Mill-based bar specialising in women's sports - on Saturday 3 October from 11am-5pm.

It will then be ensconced in the Merseyway Centre on Sunday 4 October from 10am-4pm.

Both venues have been chosen to allow all Stopfordians to see the trophy and keep the love of sport open to everyone.

The Merseyway centre will also be hosting craft sessions on Sunday 4th from 11am-2pm, where families will get the opportunity to enter a cycling jersey design competition.

Cllr Dan Oliver, Stockport Council's cabinet member responsible for sports, said: "The Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift coming to Stockport is a huge moment for our borough and one we want everyone to feel part of.

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"With just 300 days to go, the trophy tour is a fantastic way to build excitement and give people the chance to get involved in the countdown to 2027. It's also an opportunity to showcase the places, communities and organisations that make Stockport such a vibrant and welcoming place.

"Hosting part of one of the world's biggest sporting events reflects our ambition for Stockport and our commitment to creating opportunities that inspire people, support active lifestyles and put the borough on the international stage."

Becky Brown, founder of Rita Ray's, said: "Women's sport has grown massively, but the spaces to watch it have not caught up.

"Rita Ray's was created to put women's sport front and centre and to give fans a welcoming, inclusive place to come together.

"To welcome the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift trophy here in Stockport, 300 days before the race arrives, feels really special. It shows girls and women locally that they belong in sport and that their achievements deserve to be celebrated."

Victoria Nichol, Centre Manager at Merseyway Shopping Centre and Redrock, added: "We are really pleased to welcome the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift trophy to Merseyway and help bring this exciting moment to families and visitors in the town centre.

"It is a great opportunity for people to see the trophy up close, enjoy the activities and be part of Stockport's countdown to race day, when Merseyway will play its part in bringing the town centre celebrations to life."