Annemieke van Vleuten, Demi Vollerin, Cécilie, Marianne Vos, Juliette Labous and the others are now well-known figures among cycling enthusiasts. The Women’s Tour de France, which left the Champs-Elysées on July 24, just before the final of the men’s event, won over his audience.
In eight days, despite criticism and macho comparisons, women offered a amazing show, as in the last stage and the finish at the Super Planche-des-Belles-Filles. The public, numerous on the roads, also demonstrated that there was a real popular fervor to see the champions pass.
A show on the roads of the Tour
From the first stages, this Tour de France Women has kept all its promises. Dutchwoman Lorena Wiebes (Team DSM) won a first sprint stage on the Champs-Elysées and donned the first yellow jersey for 33 years. She also won a second stage a few days later in Saint-Dié-des-Vosges.
And each day gave its share of surprises, with fierce battles to win the stages, like that of Cecilie Uttrup Ludwig in the sprint in Epernay.
And then there were the last two mountain stages and the queen of this Tour, Annemieke van Vleuten, showed everyone its indisputable dominance leaving everyone far behind when they arrived at the Markstein and the Planche-des-Belles-Filles.
We also discovered our French champions. Two finish in the Top 10, Juliette Labous who finishes 4th and Evita Muzic who finishes in 8th place overall.
– Dario Belingheri
popular fervor
As the journey progressed, we saw more and more people on the side of the roads. On the Champs-Elysées, the public came to discover them, but in the plains of Champagne, along the peaks of the Vosges, on the ridge road in Alsace and during the last mythical stage of the Planche-des-Belles-Filles, it’s good the names of the champions which was written on the roads. Same for the slogans on the panels.
The enthusiasm and simplicity of the runners
What struck people’s minds was the smile of these runners. Before and after the event, they took the time to sign autographs, take selfies with their fans, and always answer questions with a smile. And this despite the fatigue that was accumulating.
The solidarity in the trials was also striking. And the images of runners waiting by the side of the road to lend a hand to their leader marked.
Champions who defend themselves on social networks
The days, and in particular the 3rd stage, were marked by massive crashes in the peloton. Something to wake up the “haters” of social networks with comments from another time, on these women who were not in their place.
The riders responded, and many observers also brought the “haters” back to reality: in cycling, there are falls whether you are a man or a woman.
A new edition in 2023
Marion Rousse, the director of the Tour, has already announced the color and made an appointment for a new Tour de France Women from next year. “See you next year already, and every year, on the same date just after the Men’s Tour. It will be a fourth week of the Tour, because it’s a real Tour de France”.