For a long time, much of the cycling world was deprived of half of the world’s population. Things are slowly but surely changing.
Inspired by the Tour de France, which welcomed its first female competitors in 2022, the Tour de l’Abitibi hopes to do the same starting in 2025. Most of the details have been finalized. All that’s missing is a letter from the International Cycling Union (UCI) to make it happen. An announcement should be made in October.
“It’s not official yet, but it’s certainly unofficial,” commented Tour board chair Mélanie Rocher, in an interview with The Press.
Currently, there is no Junior Women’s Nations Cup in the Americas. “It was on our minds,” admits Mme Rocher: We have a lot of good athletes under 16 who compete at a high level. But as soon as they reach the Nations Cup level, they have to head to Europe. It doesn’t make sense.”
Breath of fresh air
The pandemic has been very difficult for the Tour de l’Abitibi, which was forced to cancel two of its editions. After this temporary break, the organization had to deal with a decrease in registrations.
“We said to ourselves that we had to review our image, our way of doing things,” explains M.me Rocher. We organized a lake-to-shoulder to find ways to renew ourselves. The response was unanimous: we had to include the girls in the Tour de l’Abitibi.”
In the process, cyclists like Olivia Baril and Karol-Ann Canuel were consulted. “When we told them about this possibility, they were extremely excited,” says Mme Rock.
Unlike the Nations Cup standards, the Tour de l’Abitibi has seven stages rather than four. It is granted a grandfather clause to do so. This clause will not apply to the women’s edition of the Tour de l’Abitibi, which will therefore be limited to four stages.
PHOTO JONATHAN LEVERT, PROVIDED BY THE TOUR DE L’ABITIBI
The Tour de l’Abitibi brings together around 150 cyclists aged 17 and 18.
These stages will take place during the four days preceding the men’s competition. “It is important for us to offer the girls their own stage, so that they can shine independently of the boys,” justifies Mme Rock.
The integration of girls will cost the Tour de l’Abitibi about $100,000. Its current budget ranges from $800,000 to $900,000 per edition. The competition brings together about 150 cyclists aged 17 and 18. They cover nearly 700 kilometres over seven days.
Montreal and Quebec are waiting
The women’s versions of the Grands Prix cyclistes de Québec et de Montréal (GPCQM) are still awaited, despite the interest of the organizers. “It’s more than a project, it’s a dream,” said GPCQM CEO Sébastien Arsenault, during an interview with The Pressin April.
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Adding a women’s component would entail significant costs, which is why it has not yet materialized. A three-year financial commitment from the government would be necessary. The GPCQM have an annual budget of nearly $7 million.
Sébastien Arsenault indicated that he was not ready “to take up the pilgrim’s staff” for women’s WorldTour competitions. “It has to be a political will that comes straight from the top,” he said.
According to Sébastien Arsenault, the mayor of Quebec, Bruno Marchand, has shown an “openness” to hosting a women’s event in the Quebec region.
Netflix and cycling
Cycling is enjoying a resurgence in popularity among the new generation, particularly due to a Netflix series about the Tour de France. The Tour de l’Abitibi has noticed this rise, so much so that it plans to prepare its own documentary series. “The table is not quite set, but we have been approached for a project,” says Mme Rocher. The goal of this documentary would be to attract new teams to the Tour de l’Abitibi, to give it greater international exposure.