It’s the story ofa great popular festival around the bike. We knew the unshakable success of the men’s Tour de France, here comes that of its little sister, the Women’s Tour de France which is heading towards the Super Planche des Belles-Filles for the eighth and last stage, Sunday July 31. In just eight steps, the race has conquered a new audience, more than 30 years after its last edition. Certainly a little less numerous than on certain male stages, but thousands of spectators nevertheless came to gather on the side of the road, especially in the two Alsatian stages.
Michel chose to set up his camping table at the foot of the Petit Ballon hill, before arriving at Markstein, during the seventh stage on Saturday. Stages of the Tour de France, this ch’ti has seen it dozens more. “This year, we went to see the men’s Tour de France in Cornimont, near Bresse”he explains. “There was not a big difference in atmosphere compared to here. What I see, when I talk to spectators, is that this Tour has been adopted. For everyone, it’s a Tour normal !”
“A successful bet”
“Honestly, it’s unheard of for women’s cycling”confirms Marion Rousse, the director of the Tour de France Women, all smiles. “People have realized that it’s a real Tour, it doesn’t matter if it’s men or women. There are a lot of people at the start and finish, but also all along the route. And to see kids on the side of the roads come to encourage the female athletes, or people who dress up and make signs as we are used to seeing on the roads in July, it is a successful bet.
“From a sporting point of view, I was not worried”continues the former cycling champion. “I comment on women’s cycling throughout the year, and they always give us a great show. But on the reception of the public, you can never know.” Marion Rousse explains that she put everything in place with the organizer ASO to make it a real tour. “It paid off: we left the caravan two hours before the riders, the media communicated well and people want to see cycling. And it doesn’t matter whether it’s men or women, we’re here to support athletes…”
– Bastien Munch
A future longer edition?
And yet, posted on a sidewalk in downtown Ingersheim, Nathalie still regrets a less valued race according to her. “We talk less about it compared to the Men’s Tour de France”she laments. “For example, if we watch the broadcast on TV, in the men’s room we are presented with the castles, the region… There, so far, I haven’t seen anything.”
But this return of the Women’s Tour de France still makes Richard, stationed at the start in Sélestat, want to see the women’s event develop in the future, to last as long as the men’s Tour de France. “It would be nice if we could have a Tour that passes through several regions”details the young Alsatian from Andlau. “The women are happy to see that there are people. So three more weeks would be great for them!” Especially since, in the opinion of many spectators, the runners are much more affordable to the public than their male colleagues.