Watch the Femmes
The Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift returns at the end of July, this time with 9 thrilling stages in prospect.
Watch the Femmes
The race that gets better with every passing year should live up to its billing once again as the peloton journey from Brittany in the North West to the Alps, via the Massif Central. Expect taxing puncheur stages, rapid sprint finishes and giant mountains.
There is certainly something for everyone to enjoy, not least the intriguing battle from a strong field. Pre-race favourite Demi Vollering has been showing us all year how she’s more than capable of taking the fight to defending champion Kasia Niewiadoma, but she won’t be alone. Returning legend Anna van der Breggen is looking as devastating as ever, Pauline Ferrand-Prévot is back making the road look easy and we haven’t even mentioned Lotte Kopecky yet!
The puncheur stages will certainly suit the Belgian World Champion, while her teammate Lorena Wiebes will be hoping to add to her 100 wins in the flat stages. With the perennial legend Marianne Vos and Italian champions Elisa Longo Borghini both capable of beating anyone, any day, it’s a stacked field.
The Route
Starting off in cycling mad Brittany, the race begins with punchy climbs that will see sparks fly as early attacks try to establish time gaps. The first two stages will be fast but hilly, but Stages 3 and 4 will be for Wiebes and the sprint hopefuls, making for a first week fit to bursting with fireworks from a fresh and lively peloton.
The longest stage is Stage 5 and things get stickier as the route goes one. A 166km route climbs steadily through the day with a trio of clubs in the last 40km. The pace will ramp and ramp seeing the favourites left to duke it out for decisive time gaps.
Stage 6 will bring the first proper mountain stage in the Massif Central and five classified climbs. The biggest of which is the 10.2km Col du Beal at the half way point – this is where the action will kick off, but two final climbs will determine the stage’s winner in this epic and beautiful part of France.
The Col du Granier, a Tour de France veteran of 17 editions comes on Stage 7, the main challenge of an otherwise flat day. Expect a race to the summit before a thrilling descent into Chambéry and significant time gaps. The big mountains don’t stop there as the following day brings a summit finish on the giant Col de la Madeleine — a huge day before the grand finale. The race could well be finally won on this incredible peak.
Do not expect a procession on the final stage; there are three tough climbs before an uphill slog to Châtel. The Côte d’Arâches-la-Frasse, Col de Joux-Plane and Col du Corbier will provide opportunities for any riders with time to make up to attack the leader in what will be a monumental stage.
JOIN US
We will be there to witness the entire with LIVE race-viewing of 7 stages, including the 4 Opening Stages in Brittany and the Loire Valley, and the final 3 Mountain stages in the Alps. Join us for 11 days or choose from two other 6 day trips that take in either the start of mountain stages.
