Don't miss these three stages of the 2023 Tour de France Femmes
The eight-stage route promises high drama, no more so than on these three days
The route announcement for the second edition of the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift came with a lot of anticipation. How would the organisers improve on last year? Would they include a time trial? And would Annemiek van Vleuten get her dream of an hors catégorie climb?
Finally, when race director Marion Rousse unveiled the 956km route in Paris on Thursday, few were left disappointed.
The eight-stage race has something for everyone’s tastes. Rolling out of Clermont-Ferrand, the peloton will tackle côte after côte in the southwest, before travelling down towards the Spanish border, where the high mountains await in the Pyrenees.
There are opportunities for the sprinters, the climbers and even the time trialists, whose discipline will debut in the race on the final day.
Here are three stages you need to watch from next July’s Tour de France Femmes.
Stage four: Cahors > Rodez (177km)
Stretched out over 177km, stage four of the race is set to be the longest stage in women’s WorldTour history. This follows on from last year’s edition, when Lorena Wiebes claimed her second stage win into Saint-Dié-des-Vosges over a 175km course in the Grand Est.
The riders will head out across the flat planes of the Lot valley, before attacking the stage’s punchy crescendo. The final 35km count four challenging climbs, with the final one pitched at over 10%, its peak in sight of the flamme rouge.
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
It’s likely to be a day for the classics specialists, so expect all the drama of a Liège-Bastogne-Liège or an Amstel Gold.
Stage seven: Lannemezan > Tourmalet (90km)
After this July’s race, yellow jersey winner Annemiek van Vleuten spoke of her desire to see an HC climb introduced into the route, namely Alpe d’Huez.
Instead, the Dutchwoman will have to settle for the Col du Tourmalet, a 2,115m-tall Pyrenean brute scheduled for the race’s penultimate day.
“We have listened to what the riders told us,” Rousse told Reuters after the 2023 route presentation. “The last stage this year was too tough and even if the Tourmalet is a rough climb, the stage will feature fewer metres gained.”
Over 90km - the race’s shortest road stage - the riders will climb 2,500m elevation, tackling the Col d’Aspin first. Though the climbs are long and arduous, the stage is set for an explosive day in the high mountains.
Stage eight: Pau > Pau (ITT - 22km)
The women’s WorldTour desperately lacked time trials this year. There were two in total: a 4.7km prologue in the Giro Donne and a 17.8km race against the clock in the Simac Ladies Tour.
The latter was won by French time trial champion Audrey Cordon-Ragot, who told journalists on Thursday that she was “particularly pleased” with how the race’s closing stage has shaped up.
Reversing the route the men tackled in 2019, the race organisers have planned a 22km time trial finale in Pau, a city with close ties to the Tour de France. The course is technical, lumpy and promises to make for a suspense-filled final day.
The Tour de France Femmes will run from 23 July to 30 July 2023.
Thank you for reading 20 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
Tom joined Cycling Weekly as a news and features writer in the summer of 2022, having previously contributed as a freelancer. He is the host of The TT Podcast, which covers both the men's and women's pelotons and has featured a number of prominent British riders.
An enthusiastic cyclist himself, Tom likes it most when the road goes uphill and actively seeks out double-figure gradients on his rides.
-
Shimano Ultegra C60 wheelset review: fast rolling and great value, if a little heavy
The Ultegra C60 wheels share many similarities with the more expensive Dura-Ace model except for price and weight
By Andy Turner Published
-
The 16-year-old bike that's just won the British National Hill Climb championships
Rim brakes, no paint, tiny seat stays and a decade-old groupset are still plenty fast enough to help champion Harry Macfarlane see off some serious competition
By Joe Baker Published
-
Milan-San Remo addition will 'raise the level even higher' in women’s cycling, says Kasia Niewiadoma
'It's really motivating to see that in just one season, everything can change' says Tour de France Femmes winner as she reflects on a year of success on the road
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
A new era emerges: meet the rising talent that stole the show at the Tour de France Femmes
A familiar face may have won the race, but rising stars shone brightest. Here are the names you'll want to remember in the seasons ahead.
By Anne-Marije Rook Published
-
'I lost the faith that I could still do it' - Kasia Niewiadoma conquers the ‘Mountain of Emotions’ for Tour de France Triumph
"I've gone through such a terrible time on this climb. I hated everything," shares the yellow jersey victor.
By Anne-Marije Rook Published
-
Niewiadoma claims 2024 Tour de France Femmes yellow jersey in nail-biting battle with Vollering on Alpe d'Huez
Vollering wins the stage, but comes up just short to win the race overall. Rooijakkers second, Muzic third.
By Dan Challis Published
-
'1:15 isn't much' - SD Worx confident in Demi Vollering for grand finale on Alpe d'Huez
Eyes turn to Alpe d’Huez showdown as GC battle stalls on Le Grand-Bornand
By Anne-Marije Rook Published
-
Polka Dot jersey Justine Ghekiere conquers Tour de France Femmes stage 7 as Niewiadoma holds onto yellow
Belgian victorious from breakaway, Vollering and Niewiadoma in stalemate in first Alpine battle
By Dan Challis Published
-
Who's won the 2024 Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift?
The full general classification, along with the latest stage result, and the standings for the other jerseys
By Cycling Weekly Published
-
Cédrine Kerbaol powers to stage six win at Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift, the first ever French victory
Kasia Niewiadoma maintained her lead in the yellow jersey on an action-filled day in north-east France
By Adam Becket Published