On Sunday July 24, France will finally host its first women’s Tour de France (TDF). While this is the first time that ASO, the official Tour organizing group, has recognized and coordinated the competition for women, the TDF Women with Zwift is the result of a long path paved with alternative races, which have made racing women cyclists since the last century, says the American specialized magazine VeloNews, who rejoices:
“After more than thirty years and almost as many excuses not to do so, ASO is organizing a women’s Tour de France.”
The first women’s race took place in 1955, organized by journalist Jean Leulliot, the title recalls. This cycling enthusiast had hoped for a women’s Tour in seven stages of 80 to 100 kilometers, but the 41 participants had to settle for five stages. At the time, the men were already running 22. It was the Briton Millie Robinson who won this unique Tour, which remained without a successor until the 1980s.
Forced to change name
From 1984 to 1989, the Société du Tour de France, which then organized the one reserved for men, left room for a version for women. “For six years, the women’s Tour de France ran at the same time as the men’s, as a kind of curtain raiser”, Explain VeloNews. The race then comprised 18 stages for the first edition and 11 for the last, which incidentally was won, t