S4 Ep55: Brother UK Cycling Podcast - Andy Hawes interview (TOB Women)

Andy Hawes is the Route Director of the Tours of Britain. In just ten weeks, he has designed and driven the four stages of the 2024 Tour of Britain Women, working alongside Race Director Rod Ellingworth, local authorities and an experienced team of administrators and safety experts.

In this in-depth interview with co-host Timothy John, Andy provides a sporting perspective on each of the four stages, explains the importance of long-standing relationships with councils and offers insights into the logistical complexity of closing major roads, including those around Manchester, to allow the safe passage of the race.

He reveals his uncompromising stance on rider safety and a business-as-usual approach that has seen him drive the entire route on three occasions, despite the tight timescale. His companions on the route recces have included Sergeant Duncan Street of the Central Escort Group.

Andy describes his positive working relationship with Ellingworth, for whom the Tour of Britain Women will be the latest chapter in a decorated career that includes founding British Cycling’s Olympic Academy road programme and leading the UCI WorldTour team INEOS Grenadiers, formerly Team Sky.

Touching on the transfer of the race’s ownership to British Cycling Events, Andy describes his determination to uphold the reputation it enjoyed under previous owners Sweetspot; a motivation increased by the federation’s new partnership with Lloyds Bank.

Enjoy this open and engaging conversation with a key member of the team tasked with saving Britain’s leading professional bike races. From detailed descriptions of the route’s defining features to insights into working relationships, safety considerations, ambitions to expand the race and more, this is an interview not to be missed.