Why the 2022 Tour De France Femmes was so special
As I type, over in Paris they’ve just announced the 2023 route for the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift (TDFF).
Arguably the most famous cycling event in the world, even the most averse to two wheels have heard of the Tour de France (TDF). It’s been celebrated for over 100 years and dominated sporting news and media since its inception - from pioneering cyclists to doping scandals and, more recently, its worrying environmental impact. However, not as many people know about the history of the Women’s tour.
I won’t go into the whole history (or lack thereof!) of the women’s TDF. Some of it is worth mentioning - in particular the inspiring women that raced in the 1984-89 versions. But most of it isn’t - the token offering of the one day La Course, for example!
Instead, I’m going to skip to the happy ending: the 2022 Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift (TDFF). Straight after the men’s TDF, the women’s race replaced the usual post TDF blues with an action-packed 8 days of racing culminating on the infamous climb, La Planche des Belles Filles.
So why was the TDFF so special? Here are my 2 cents worth…
It’s been a long time coming
For years, women have been campaigning for their own version of the Tour de France. A group of professional cyclists made up of Emma Pooley, Marianne Vos, Chrissie Wellignton and Kathryn Bertrine set up Le Tour Entier in 2013 to drive growth in women’s cycling, starting with a Tour de France race.
Two groups of amateur cyclists: The InternationElles and Donnons des Elles au Velo (translated as ‘give the girls a bike’) have campaigned for a women’s tour by riding the full tour a day ahead of the men - gaining attention and support from Christian Prudhomme (General Director of the TDF).
When Zwift released an online ‘tour’ over the COVID pandemic and held virtual competitions for both men and women, it was blindingly obvious there was an audience for women’s racing. Excuses were suppressed to whispers, the TDFF was born.
More than 30 years since the original Tour de France - and more than 30 years since the ban on a women’s event using the TDF name - the women finally had their arena on the roads of France.
2. It didn’t matter who won
Watching the TDFF unfold was edge-of-the-seat stuff. As per the men’s race there were crashes, injuries, abandons and glory. Each stage a page-turning chapter in a chart-topping book.
The end was perhaps predictable with the race favourite, Annemiek van Vleuten, taking the win. As the oldest woman on the tour at 39 and having announced her retirement for 2023, you couldn’t help but be happy to see her take her 94th professional victory.
But beautifully - it didn’t really matter who won. Every cyclist, every person in the support crew, every member of the press and every spectator was ecstatic and emotional at just being able to be at this historical event.
From Vos winning a stage in the yellow jersey to Cecile Ludwig’s impressive sprint finish and iconic post-ride interview, each stage win was both impressive and unforgettable in its own right.
As with any sport, people have their favourites, but ultimately it wouldn’t have mattered who won the yellow jersey - the event in itself was a win.
3. The roadside support
Like it or loathe it - the TDF has become more than a sporting event - it’s a spectacle. It attracts thousands of supporters that flock to France to line the roads. It felt special that the same excitement still applied to the roadside support for the women.
The flags of every cycling fanatical country. The names of these groundbreaking cyclists painted on the roads. The young girls cheering in their spotted T-Shirts and caps, knowing they could be riding the same roads in the future if they wanted to.
It was nothing short of incredible to see the roads lined with fans for the women as with the men’s race. It signalled the women deserved a place on France’s roads as much as the men. It was a sight to behold.
4. TV and press coverage
It was once argued there wasn’t an audience for women’s cycling. However following the TDFF, Cycling News reported an audience of nearly 20 million viewers in France alone over the 8 days. Around 190 countries broadcasted the race providing the outlet women’s cycling needed.
The British coverage left a lot of room for improvement. But GCN and le Col made sure 10,000 passes for GCN were made available for those who didn’t have access to Eurosport. The race wasn’t aired from the start and there was no evening highlights programme as per the men’s race.
I guess we have to start somewhere!
There is now a platform. Fingers crossed next year we’ll see more coverage match the appetite!
5. Momentum
The most exciting part of the 2022 TDFF was that it feels like the tipping point for women’s cycling. A tangible moment of change. We have something to build on. Zwift has confirmed sponsorship of the TDFF for the next 4 years so we know we have a women’s tour in the immediate future.
Perhaps one day we’ll even see equal prize money (the 2022 TDFF prize money totalled €250,000 against the men’s €2.2 million prize pot).
Today’s announcement of the 2023 route includes a finish on the infamous Tourmalet and an individual time trial as the last 2 of the 8 stages. I have no doubt the whole week will be as exciting as the final two stages promise to be!
If you didn’t watch it this year - don’t miss the opportunity to support women’s cycling next July. I for one look forward to seeing this momentum take hold and for more people to fall for the sport so many women (and men) already love; for more women and girls to find joy in cycling.
