comment
Annemiek van Vleuten wins the first Tour de France Femmes. It was a successful premiere: there must be no turning back for women’s cycling.
Annemiek van Vleuten made history: The Dutchwoman is the first winner of the Tour de France of women in the history of cycling. Yes, that’s right: There have already been attempts to give female cyclists the biggest stage this sport has to offer. But these attempts were half-hearted, without the will to really establish the race and without the financial basis that would have been necessary.
Women’s cycling has never been so present
Therefore surrounded the Tour de France women the appeal of a premiere. And I have to say: the premiere was a success. the Amaury Sports Organizationthe owner of the Tour de France, wanted to make this premiere a success. The race was perfectly organized and brilliantly marketed. Women’s cycling has never been as present as in these eight days.
It’s in advance of Tour de France women There has been a lot of debate about whether the date right after the men’s tour is the right one. Whether the women’s tour would not become an appendage, a nice accessory. The fears were unfounded. The popularity along the route and at least in front of the French TV sets was enormous. People are conditioned to watch cycling in July, the race director said Marion Rousse. That’s the way it is.
No question of gender
The audience got to see the impressive performance of Annemiek van Vleuten, which was in a class of its own on the two mountain stages. Such superiority is not a specialty of women’s cycling. Jonas Vingegaard and Tadej Pogacar were also driving in their own world for the three weeks beforehand.
Even the bad falls that shaped the picture of the first six days were not a question of gender. There was a lot of nervousness, there was a lot at stake for everyone and all the sport directors in the back of the cars wanted to see their drivers in front. It’s no different with men and it usually doesn’t go well there either.
A broad base is missing
And yet this one has Tour de France women also shown where the deficits of women’s cycling lie. There are a number of top riders besides the overall winner. The rapid sprint victories of Lorena Wiebesthe five days of Marianne Vos in the yellow jersey including two stage wins, the emotional success of the refreshingly lively Dane Cecilia Utrup Ludwig in Epernay – these were all sporting highlights.
But it’s also true that the difference in level between the top riders and part of the peloton is still immense. Some riders were simply overwhelmed by the course of the tour. Women’s cycling lacks a broad base. But even that is hardly surprising.
As in other sports, women also have a structural disadvantage in cycling – they lack decades in which they did not have the same opportunities. It is significant that there will not be a women’s Tour de France worthy of the name until 2022.
The dream of yellow – now also for girls
But as with the European Football Championship for women, the Tour de France women showed that it is worthwhile when organizers give the athletes a professional framework and take the matter seriously. Very good sport then becomes visible. And this is the only way to broaden the base.
For the girls at the side of the track and in front of the TV is the Tour de France no longer just a boy thing. They too can now dream of the yellow jersey, huh Annemiek van Vleuten was not yet possible. A start has been made: The Tour de France women has come to stay. There can, must and will be no turning back.