Kirsten Wild wins women’s Tour de Yorkshire – but technical problems derail live TV coverage

Dutch rider Kirsten Wild (Team Hitec-Products) took this year’s Tour de Yorkshire women’s race in a bunch sprint ahead of Britain’s Lucy Garner (Wiggle High5). Sadly, what had promised to be one of the most high-profile women’s races ever was not shown live due to technical problems with the aircraft used to relay pictures from the motos and helicopter.

World champion Lizzie Armitstead was one of three riders in a breakaway which lasted until 2km to go and while five British riders finished in the top ten, Wild was to prove the quickest.

And @kirsten_wild takes the victory on the line. #WTDY pic.twitter.com/6yVUj2r9Xw

— Tour de Yorkshire (@letouryorkshire) April 30, 2016

Until Prudential RideLondon trumped it with its own announcement a week later, the Tour de Yorkshire promised to be the richest women’s race in the world with total prize money of £50,000. Unfortunately, efforts to attract wider attention to women's racing were partially undermined by the absence of live TV coverage.

ITV4 hoped to show the closing stages of the race before or during stage two of the men’s event and in its highlights show later on, but live coverage had to be abandoned due to technical problems.

Technical problems with the French TV coverage of TDY Women’s race means we are unable to show it. Big disappointment. Huge apologies.

— ITV Cycling (@itvcycling) April 30, 2016

The problem is with the aircraft that relays all the pictures back from the Motos and heli. It was forced to land due to loss of power

— ITV Cycling (@itvcycling) April 30, 2016

They are trying to fix it and have another plane on the way. We will show you whatever we get of Women’s race at 1415.

— ITV Cycling (@itvcycling) April 30, 2016

We are hopeful that the new plane will be here in time for Men’s race. Plan to show what we have if Women’s race before live Men’s race.

— ITV Cycling (@itvcycling) April 30, 2016