How can a race in only its 4th edition carry this much weight? – Alice Wood explores the unprecedented scale of the Tour de France Femmes

Saturday, July 26, marks the start of the most prestigious race in women’s cycling: the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift. Still in just its fourth edition, the race has already cemented itself as the biggest race on the calendar, a race where every rider dreams of competing, and where winning a stage can become a defining moment in anyone’s career.

But how is that possible? How can a race in only its 4th edition carry this much weight?