After very long years of absence, the Women’s Tour de France is back this summer. Before the big start, we followed the preparation of the riders of Saint-Michel Auber 93. At the head of this team, there is Charlotte Bravard, the sports director of the team and one of the rare women to hold this position. . From her car, she follows her athletes who are reconnoitering the 3rd stage of the Tour de France between Reims and Épernay which is 133 km long. “We try to identify the strategic points where the race could take place”, reveals Charlotte Bravard, her eyes riveted on the cyclists just in front of her.
“It’s still a men’s environment”
The return of a Tour de France for women, “it’s the culmination of women’s cycling”, according to Barbara Fonseca, cyclist from Saint Michel-Auber 93. And for good reason, the first women’s Tour de France took place in 1955. But since then, no edition has managed to last over time. Conversely, the women’s Giro d’Italia, also called the Giro Donne, has existed since 1988 and has managed to establish itself as the stage race on the women’s calendar. The event is held in 10 stages.
Women’s cycling has long been the victim of many sexist clichés. “Before, I often heard: ‘it’s not a sport for girls, girls’ races don’t go fast, they’re not interesting to watch,’ says Margot Pompanon, a professional cyclist. But for two or three years, women’s races have been developing and mentalities are changing. “It’s still a men’s environment, it’s changing, but there are still mentalities to change,” says Charlotte Bravard.
Pro cyclist and sports teacher
While women’s cycling is growing, it does not yet enjoy the same media appeal and there is still a gap between the salaries and bonuses of male cyclists and the salaries and bonuses of female cyclists. Some cyclists from Saint Michel-Auber 93 have a job on the side, like Barbara Fonseca who is also a sports teacher.
“I’m lucky in the team to still have a work contract”, she believes before adding: “to be paid on a half-time or a three-quarter time, it’s doable when you’re 20, 25 and out of school. Now when you’re 32 like me, when you’ve bought a house, it’s a little more complicated. But all hope that with this new edition of the Tour de France Women and unprecedented media coverage, bonuses and salaries will change.