by Gemma Delaney

In a moment of sporting history, over a hundred professional female cyclists are gearing up for a landmark event in Paris – the first women’s edition of a famous cycling event in over three decades. This breakthrough race, set to span over eight stages and 1,029 km, is hailed as a substantial stride towards equality in the sport of cycling. Past attempts at establishing a women’s version of this classic contest had proved unsustainable until now. The world has seen tremendous progress in the coverage and acceptance of women’s sports in the past decade, which has facilitated this resurgence.

This renewed event’s status is bolstered by high-profile sponsors, including a noted fitness gaming brand, which has strengthened its financial appeal and marked it as one of the most rewarding races in women’s cycling. However, it is worthy to note that the prize money for the men’s three-week cycling event still towers with a substantial prize pool.

This iconic women’s cycling race has manifested after years of campaigning by both professional and amateur athletes within the sport. Notably, in 2019, a commendable group of female cyclists known as The International Riders forecasted the potential of a world-class women’s cycling event by riding a day ahead of the men’s peloton.

The Starting Block

Adding to the excitement and the potential for more coverage, the women’s race commences on the same day and location as the men’s race concludes. Their newsworthy journey begins at the famous Eiffel Tower in Paris, this coming Sunday, on the 24th of July. The first lap will be an 81.6km circuit of the French city, taking the riders past iconic landmarks like the Champs-Élysées and the Jardin des Tuileries.

Over the course of eight days, the race will forge a path from the city of Paris to a mountainside final stage, making a stop every day at a distinct part of the region. It will culminate at La Super Planche des Belles Filles on the 31st of July.

Scenic Detours

The official route is no less than captivating – it sweeps through some of France’s top northeastern regions, complete with a stop at the unofficial capital of Champagne, Reims. It also includes a breather at the UNESCO World Heritage site Provins. The course is a balanced mix, featuring three flat, three hilly, and two mountain stages, with some segments of rough off-road riding and a handful of climbs.

A Lineup of Talents

The race roster includes 144 cyclists from 24 distinct teams, representing a spectrum of ages, with an average age of 26.4 years. A notable 20% of the cyclists are from The Netherlands, a country renowned for its women’s cycling prowess. The lineup includes the world’s top-ranked female cyclist and several other potent contenders set to make their mark on this monumental occasion.

Providing additional support to these athletes are around 300 dedicated staff members, including sporting directors, mechanics, and press officers throughout the 24 teams.

Bringing the Race to You Live

This landmark women’s cycling event is set for broadcast in 190 countries via France TV Sport and Eurovision Sport. In the UK, fans can catch the race via various sports coverage sites. Additionally, if you find yourself near the cycling route, don’t hold back to show your support for these phenomenal athletes. Social media shares and posts will also help fuel the success of the event and secure its future.

You can catch behind-the-scenes updates and in-depth race coverage of a UK team participating in the event via social media in the forthcoming week.

Women’s sports events, women’s cycling, Tour de France, Paris