The routes for the men’s and women’s Tour de France are set to be announced on October 27, but as usual, rumours abound about where in the country the race will visit.
Only in its second edition, the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift has not escaped the grinding of the rumour mill. Last week it emerged that race director, former pro and former French champion Marion Rousse had been in Clermont-Ferrand making arrangements for a Grand Départ set to take place on July 23.
Last year’s race began in Paris, the peloton racing before the men who were riding their final stage 21 along the Champs-Élysées circuits. This gave the women’s peloton added exposure at the roadside and in the media, and any move away would suggest organisers ASO are confident in the race’s status.
While all the riders Cyclingnews spoke to at the Tour de Romandie Féminin enjoyed this year’s opening day in Paris, all would welcome a move away.
“I’m quite happy about that, to be totally honest,” explained Ashleigh Moolman-Pasio (SD Worx) before her mountain stage victory in Switzerland. “As iconic as it is to ride on the Champs-Élysées, it’s not necessarily the best way to start a Grand Tour, I’d say, because it creates an element of risk for us.”
“For the men, it’s a different race. They race the last lap or two, but it’s more a parade, but for us, it’s a full race, and I can think of better starts for a Grand Tour.”
The crowds were among the most striking aspects of this year’s first edition. While the biggest of the entire eights stage race was to be found on the opening day in Paris, they were huge throughout, the French public taking the race to its heart straight away.
Finishing fourth at this year’s Tour, Juliette Labous (DSM) was the top-placed home rider and while she was surprised by the roadside numbers this year, she expects them to be back in 2023. Wherever it starts.
“In Paris, it was nice with a lot of people, but I had a feeling they were also coming more for the guys, so I think then if people come, it’s really for us, and that makes it maybe a bit more special.”
Veronica Ewers finished ninth riding for EF Education-TIBCO-SVB and thinks separating the race from the men is good.
“Some people suggest that it’s not ideal because the men finish in Paris, but I’m not sure,” she told Cyclingnews. “I think it will just add another level of a difference between the men’s and the women’s Tour de France because it is different, and I…
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