When the world’s best women cyclists race for 80 miles through the county to a sprint finish in the heart of Worcester, it won’t just be a great day of top-level sport.

It will be a marketing opportunity for the county and city - at least that’s what three local authorities hope.

Worcestershire County Council, Wychavon District Council and Worcester City Council are all listed as partners of the fourth stage of the Ovo Energy Women’s Tour this year, which will be held in the county on June 16.

Both the city council and Wychavon have paid money to the organisers of the race Sweetspot to be able to host a finish and start, but both won’t say how much because that sum is commercially confidential.

The county council hasn’t paid any money to the race organisation, but as it is letting the race take place on the roads it’s responsible for it is also a partner.

But they all hope the event will have a beneficial economic impact.

A spokesman for Worcester City council said: “Worcester City has not hosted a Women’s Tour event before, so there are no figures relating to the likely financial impact of hosting the event. However, when the start of the final day of the 2017 Men’s Tour was held in Worcester in 2017, it contributed £500,000 to the local economy.

“Hosting the finish of a stage of the Women’s Tour will mean that visitors stay in the city for longer, spending more money with local businesses.”

In Wychavon, leader of the council Linda Robinson said: “We are thrilled the OVO Energy Women’s Tour is starting in Wychavon. This is an exciting opportunity for us to showcase women’s cycling and highlight our wonderful district at the same time.

“To get the starting event is an incredible opportunity and we promise to give these athletes the best send off on their stage that we possibly can. It also sits nicely with our health and wellbeing agenda and will link to Get Wychavon Active.”

The race, one of the most prestigious in the world, will be shown on ITV 4 every evening, reaching about 500,000 viewers daily, with 350,000 people expected to watch in person across the five days.