While the epilogue of the 109th edition of the Tour de France will take place on Sunday July 24, the cycling festival will be extended with the start of the women’s Tour de France, new edition. The 144 riders entered at the start will leave Paris the same day for a Tour divided into eight stages between the French capital and Alsace (July 24-31).
From our special correspondent on the Tour de France Women,
Farewell to the men’s Tour de France and hello to the women’s Tour de France. On Sunday July 24, 144 women took the start, for eight stages between Paris and the Super Planche des Belles Filles in the Vosges. For this first edition organized by Amaury sport organization (ASO), 24 teams of six participants are announced, including five French teams (Arkea, Cofidis, FDJ/Nouvelle-Aquitaine, Saint-Michel Auber and Stade Rochelais).
The route offers four plain stages, two hilly stages and two mountain stages. Three regions will be crossed: Île-de-France, Grand Est and Bourgogne-Franche-Comté. In total, it will be necessary to travel 1,033 kilometers. The Women’s Tour de France notably follows on from the Women’s Tour de France contested between 1984 and 1989. There were also two other independent events: The International Women’s Grande Boucle, contested between 1992 and 2009, and the Women’s Route de France, contested between 2006 and 2016.
Create vocations
“ We don’t want to be a first attempt and to say to ourselves in three years, it didn’t work, says Marion Rousse, director of the Tour de France Women. The objective is that in a hundred years, the race will still be present. It may have taken a while to happen, but it’s coming at the right time. When I was a professional cyclist, I was told: “did you do the Tour de France? I couldn’t answer, he didn’t exist. We want to create vocations for little girls. »
For their first day, the runners will set off at the foot of the Eiffel Tower and their race will be similar to that which closes the finish of the men’s Tour on the same day, with a unique route in Paris and a finish on the Champs-Élysées.
” Women’s cycling has changed. In my time it was very differentbelieves Marion Rousse. I did not earn enough money to persevere in it. In three or four years, enormous progress has been made, but there is still a long way to go. The public will be able to see the enormous progress of women’s cycling, which is now fairly homogeneous. Gone are the days when only a few girls were able to race.
“ This moment, we waited impatiently »
” The Tour de France is the biggest cycling event in the world. Being at the start is a real honour. I can’t wait to be there to show the colors of the team. This moment, we waited impatiently », says Marie Le Net, from the FDJ-Suez-Futuroscope team, who will certainly have the opportunity to take part in the crowds.
” We hope to see many people on the side of the roads. For the girls, it would be good because they are not used to seeing people. They try as hard as men and they deserve it “says Franck Renimel, sports director of the Arkea team. ” It’s great and we will do everything to distinguish ourselves. It’s very important for women’s cycling and it will do us good to be more visible. If there are as many people as the boys, it will give us more strength and motivation adds Pauline Allin, runner in the Arkea team.
For a week, spectators will also have the opportunity to celebrate the new French champion Audrey Cordon-Ragot. ” I have ants in my legs. I want to take action. It is the most beautiful race in the world which is available for women. We hope to offer a show that will interest people smiles Audrey Cordon-Ragot.