That should at least make the costs smaller. The new rules also require WWT races of six days or more to have 7 riders teams in them, which would have made it more expensive for the organiser, although I doubt all teams would actually have brought 7 riders to the race.
It's a shame that the Women's Tour is suffering when the RideLondon Classique seems to have the funding in place with the backing of Ford and a BBC deal. Having two UK (or rather English) races is of course not bad in itself and it probably also helps both races to attract better riders, but if it could be possible to have one great race instead it would be a lot better. If Lorena Wiebes wins 2/3 of the stages again or close to it, then it probably won't be too entertaining.
well the Classique has a named sponsor but I suspect theres not much money changing hands for that in reality, which would be the problem for the Womens Tour, Im sure there are stacks of sponsors willing to get involved with them,just not many to cover the 500k shortfall the Guardian is reporting theyve got.
Ride London is really funded via TfL/Mayors Office, Essex County council, hence their likely absences from the Womens Tour this time as both in the past have hosted stages and then theres the whole London Marathon Events structure. Ford are on board to advertise to all the people doing the main rides and spectating those, that they can stick their name on a race is probably a bonus to them.
and we still remember the BBC coverage right ? so thats not necessarily a deal to be excited about, and probably again linked the London Marathon which the Beeb gives the kind of treatment to you cant imagine them ever considering for a bike race.