The Aviva Women’s Tour, a five-day women’s cycling event, has announced its 2016 route, with increased climbing and four stages in the heart of England.

The race, which will take place 15-19 June, forms part of the UCI Women’s WorldTour calendar and is one of just four multi-stage races in the season-long programme.

Aviva Women’s Tour race director Mick Bennett said: “We are delighted to present the route for the 2016 Aviva Women’s Tour with a significantly tougher parcours than the previous editions, as requested by the team’s following last year, allowing us to take the race to some new areas. The interest from venues around the country to host the race has been huge, allowing us to put together an attractive route that will make not only for excellent racing, but also big crowds from the major towns and cities on, or close to the route.

“When we created the Women’s Tour in 2014 we said that our aim was for the event to be the world’s best women’s race within three years and it is our firm belief that being a part of the new UCI Women’s WorldTour sees us well on course to do so.”

Reigning World Road Race Champion Lizzie Armitstead of the Boels Dolmans team said: “It’s fantastic news that the Aviva Women’s Tour will continue in 2016. As a British rider it’s a privilege to be able to compete on home roads, the British public have really taken to cycling and you can see that when the race goes through different towns the community really gets behind it.

“I’m excited to see the growth in women’s cycling and I think the Women’s Tour has had a really positive impact on that change.”

The Aviva Women’s Tour is nominated for Sporting Event of Year at the 2016 Event Production Awards, which take place 12 February.