By Michael Pavitt

Marianne Vos uploaded race details to Strava on route to winning the inaugural edition ©AFP/Getty ImagesThe Friends Life Women's Tour have announced that Strava, a global online community for athletes, will partner the event for the second consecutive year.

Strava were one of the founding partners of the inaugural Tour and the renewal of the partnership will see them continue to award the Official Strava Queen of the Mountains Jersey, won last year by Sharon Laws of UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling.

Riders will again battle for points at two designated Strava Queen of the Mountains climbs on each stage of the United Kingdom's five-stage race, with the jersey awarded to the best climber in the Tour.

"We are delighted to welcome Strava back to the Friends Life Women's Tour as supporters of women's cycling and the Queen of the Mountains competition," said Mick Bennett, Friends Life Women's Tour race director.

"It is great to have the support of a market leading sports brand showing the appeal of the race to a worldwide audience."

Strava, enables people to record their athletic activity to the online community allowing the public and athletes to track, analyse and compare their data with other members.

The renewed partnership will give fans unrivalled insight into the race with key riders uploading their Women's Tour race activities to the platform, with last year's event seeing race winner Marianna Vos of The Netherlands and British Olympic champion Dani King upload their race activities.

British Olympic champion Dani King also uploaded to Strava during the 2014 race ©Getty ImagesBritish Olympic champion Dani King also uploaded to Strava during the 2014 race ©Getty Images



"The Friends Life Women's Tour had an incredible first year and we were really pleased to be part of that," said Simon Klima, UK Country Manager of Strava.

"Our millions of members can join in the Women's Tour experience by joining our challenges and following the Strava pros who upload their race activities."

The Friends Life Women's Tour is scheduled to begin on June 17 the opening stage set to see cyclists ride the 110 kilometres from Bury St Edmunds to Aldeburgh.

The race is set to also see stages in the English counties of Essex, Northamptonshire, Hertfordshire before the final stage takes in Buckinghamshire, before concluding in the town of Hemel Hempstead on June 21.

Hundreds of thousands of spectators are expected to turn out at the roadside, whilst highlights of the race will be available in Britain on ITV4.

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