Amy McPherson
The Paris Olympics are over and it’s high time for more thrilling bike racing. In its third year in the current format, the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift starts tonight. Here Amy McPherson previews the epic August 12 to 18 race.
After previous criticisms of the women’s tour being ‘too soft’ and ‘condescending’, Race Director Marion Rousse foretold in 2023 that this year’s Tour de France Femme will be the ‘Confirmation Year’ of women’s racing.
Not only will it be the first foreign depart for the Femme’s Tour, this year’s route will include major climbs and race routes frequented by the men’s editions.
The third edition of Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift will hit a milestone of following the modern tradition of the men’s race by having its Grand Depart on foreign soil. On Monday, Rotterdam in the Netherlands will be rolling out the yellow carpet as the world’s biggest women’s cycling race, which finishes on the August 18 at the top of the iconic Alpe d’Huez.
Rotterdam is no stranger to the big event, as the city had hosted the Tour de France Grand Depart in 2010. Still, in the home country of veteran Dutch champion cyclist Annemiek van Vleuten, the Grand Depart Femme this year is getting all the attention. Retiring a year ago – after wearing the rainbow jersey in her final season – ‘AVV’ as she’s affectionately known will certainly be wishing she was riding.
“The last few seasons have been a tale of Dutch ascendancy. Starting from the home of these champions will kindle a great popular celebration. Expect their supporters to turn out in force” said Marion Rousse in a statement.
This year’s Tour de France Femme avec Zwift will be visiting three countries – the Netherlands, Belgium and France – for over 946km and climbing a total of 10,700m. The Tour will visit four mountain ranges, in the Ardennes, Vosges, Jura and Alps.
Elite women’s racing has gained a lot of traction over recent years and eyes are focused on a few names on the board. Overall general yellow jersey Demi Vollering, who won all three of the Ardennes classics this year, is again a firm favourite.
Close rivals Lotte Kopecky and Australia’s Grace Brown are both displaying strong potential for competition. UCI Gravel World Champion and mountain queen Katarzyna Niewiadoma, who has graced third on the podium twice at the Tour de France Femmes, has entered the scene as a great contender for some wins as well.
Aussies To Watch
Throwing other Aussies in the mix, Sarah Gigante is surging back to top form and can’t wait to race her first Tour de France, and evergreen Amanda Spratt is racing with Lidl-Trek.
Neve Bradbury (Canyon-SRAM) has been in sensational form, having won the toughest climbing stage at this year’s Giro, and Liv-AlUla-Jayco‘s Ruby Roseman-Gannon and Amber Pate will certainly be in the mix.
Sarah Roy and Josie Talbot will be lining up for French team Cofidis, and Anya Louw will be riding with teammate Gigante at AG Insurance-Soudal.
Stage by Stage
Stage One: Rotterdam-The Hague (124km)
Beginning with a flat stage for sprinters, this will be a fast and furious depart from Rotterdam. The race will include two 40km loops around a narrow newly built tunnel beneath the waters of the River Scheur, a celebratory event which formally opens the tunnels to public after. Don’t miss the final stretch of the route, featuring a wide-open avenue that will guarantee an exciting sprint finish.
Stage Two: Dordrecht-Rotterdam (67km)
A tradition that was abandoned by the Tour de France in 1991 is being brought back this year in the Femmes Tour by having a double stage day. The morning second stage of the Tour will see riders take a short ride back towards Rotterdam on a flat course with potential strong winds, with a sprint finish among skyscrapers on Boompjes.
Stage Three: Rotterdam time trial (6.3km)
According to Rousse, “this short and intense time trial should suit the most powerful of the riders. The only slight rises on the course will be the two major bridges, Érasme and Guillaume. There are a few right-hand bends as the course passes the town hall and the maritime museum, but it’s mainly on big boulevards, and the winner could average close to 50km/h.”
Stage Four: Valkenburgto Liège (122km)
Featuring a part of the men’s Liège-Bastogne-Liège route with a visit to Le Grand-Bornand, this is an exciting step forward for women’s racing. Exiting the Netherlands and entering Belgium, the route features eight classic climbs, including Côte de la Redoute, Côte des Forges and Côte de la Roche-aux-Faucons, this challenging stage will be one to look out for the climbers.
Stage Five: Bastogneto Amnéville (150km)
Although considered a flat course, this is a varied and undulating stage with several short sharp ascents for the puncheurs to tackle. Departing from the iconic Bostongne, the peloton will make its way into France to finish in front of Amnéville thermal baths.
Stage Six: Remiremontto Morteau (160km)
A demanding but scenically beautiful stage with five significant climbs, where riders will see themselves fighting to the top of Col du Mont de Fourche, Col de Ferriere, Côte de Laviron, La Roche du Prêtre, Côte des Fines for the downhill finish to Morteau.
Stage Seven: Champagnole-Le Grand Bornand (167km)
The race reaches its first mountain stage in the Alps for the longest of the eight stages. There is some fantastic mountain scenery for the viewers as the riders battle their way on Col de la Croix de la Serra, Côte de Bois d’Ariod, Côte de Cercier, Col de Saint-Jean-de-Sixt before a final climb up Montée du Chinaillon to finish at Le Grand-Bornand.
Stage Eight: Le Grand Bornand-Alpe d’Huez (150km)
The ‘24 Tour de Femme avez Zwift will conclude with a mountain stage with three major ascents, Col de Tamié, and then crest the Col du Glandon before the anticipated climatic finish at Alpe d’Huez. This will be the first time the femmes take on the most famous climb in cycling, it’s sure to be a huge day.
“A truly beautiful mountain stage with two big climbs … then, for the grand finale, we have the mythical 21 bends of Alpe d’Huez, where the 2024 champion is destined to emerge,” Rousse said of this final stage.
Coverage
SBS will have full coverage of the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift via the SBS Vineland channel and On Demand app. Times are –
Stage 1 – Monday, August 12
8:00pm – 12:00am (AEST) LIVE on SBS VICELAND, SBS On Demand.
Stage 2 – Tuesday, August 13
5:30pm – 8:00pm (AEST) LIVE on SBS VICELAND, SBS On Demand.
Stage 4 – Wednesday, August 14
9:50pm – 12:20am (AEST) LIVE on SBS VICELAND, SBS On Demand.
Stage 5 – Thursday, August 15
9:50pm – 12:20am (AEST) LIVE on SBS VICELAND, SBS On Demand.
Stage 6 – Friday, August 16
9:50pm – 12:20am (AEST) LIVE on SBS VICELAND, SBS On Demand.
Stage 7 – Saturday, August 17
9:30pm – 12:00am (AEST) LIVE on SBS VICELAND, SBS On Demand.
Stage 8 – Sunday night / Monday morning 12:00am – 3:20am on SBS VICELAND, SBS On Demand.
Bicycling Australia will feature full online coverage of the race – check back to the website each morning for the latest.
