The men’s Tour de France began in 1903. 81 years later, women had an official opportunity at the storied race. In 1984, the 18-day Tour de France Women was held at the same time as the men’s event and crossed the same finish lines over shortened routes. The women continued to race alongside the men until 1989, when the race was canceled. 

After a three-year drought in women’s stage racing in France, another race promoter picked up the baton and created the Tour Cycliste Féminin in 1992. Although it wasn’t considered an “official” women’s Tour de France, the race gave women the opportunity to compete over nine to 14 stages through the Pyrenees and the Alps until 1997. With a name change in 1998 to Grande Boucle Féminine Internationale, the race continued to run with 14-16 stages until 2003. When the tour returned from 2005-2009, the stages had been reduced to six and then again down to four. 

Five years later, the women’s peloton had waited long enough. A petition was created and presented to the Amaury Sport Organisation (who own the men’s Tour de France) demanding a women’s Tour de France. At the same time, Donnons des Elles au Vélo began riding the full Tour de France route, the day before the men, advocating for a women’s Tour de France. 

La Course by Le Tour de France was first held in 2014. The one-day race has been an exciting showcase on the Women’s WorldTour, held in conjunction with the men’s Tour de France. Still, the appetite for a full women’s tour in France was there, and has grown stronger with each passing year. 

The time has finally come. On October 14, 2021 the route for inaugural Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift was announced. 

“We’ve waited years for this,” said Marion Rousse, race director. “Women’s cycling has evolved so much over the past few years, and the women deserve it.” 

With brutal climbs, long stages, flat-out stages, and a bit of gravel mixed in, this historic race is just the start to a bright future for women’s cycling.

Image Description: July 22, 1984: Tour de France winners Laurent Fignon and Marianne Martin. Credit: Getty Images