Eight years after winning the first Tour, Marianne Voss is back on the Champs-Elysées chasing a victory that could see her don the yellow jersey first in the revival of the Tour de France – now called Tour de France Women with Zwift.
Victory would be a special achievement in her career, closing a circuit of sorts, following her efforts to help achieve the historic moment of the Women’s Tour de France.
“The one-day race in 2014 was the first stage of the Tour de France, and now ASO has found the time to extend it. I think everyone is excited to start running. Women’s cycling has grown exponentially over the past ten years. Sometimes “You can’t push and you need time to grow and prepare everything to run this kind of race. I think everyone is excited to start this kind of racing,” Voss said on the eve of the event.
Discover our video of the Tour de France Women
The Race was created in 2014 following the filing of a petition with the ASO claiming the Tour de France. Voss was one of four women to lead the Le Tour Entier petition along with Catherine Bertin, Emma Polly and Chrissy Wellington, garnering 97,307 signatures.
The event began as a one-day race and several versions offered multiple stages. However, although it grew in popularity, it was also controversial as ASO failed to deliver on its promise to make the event the full women’s Tour de France.
Eight years later, La Course is now considered the starting point of the new and highly anticipated ASO Tour de France Women.
It had to be the right time
“I still remember meeting the professional female riders ten years ago when we discussed the women’s Tour de France and created La Course from the Tour,” said Christian Prudhomme, director of the Tour de France.
“Marianne Voss, who is a wonderful woman and a great ambassador, was clear that the race would need media coverage to generate interest. And that’s something I kept in mind throughout the planning process. »
ASO has put together a powerful media package that offers 2.5 hours of worldwide live streaming for all eight stages. The Eiffel Tower event begins with a race on the Circuit des Champs-Elysées on July 24 and ends at the top of La Planche des Belles Filles on July 31.
The importance of this race and the potential impact it will have on the progress of women’s cycling cannot be underestimated.
“The Tour de France is bigger than a sport. It’s a great thing in the world. It’s going to have an impact on the public, and the potential to showcase women’s cycling around the world is going to make a difference. It’s really made a difference since La Corse, and we’ve seen that picked up on the Wide range. Since we heard the news of the eight-day Tour de France, we have also seen the media and the fans very enthusiastic about having us race here.
It has been more than three decades since women competed at the top of professional cycling, with Marian Martin, Maria Kanins and Jenny Longo winning their yellow jerseys between 1984 and 1989.
Asked why the women’s Tour de France peloton is taking so long, 33 years after the last stage race and eight years after the first race, Voss said: “It’s not easy; from a logistical and organizational point of view, now should be the time. Appropriate. Sure, you could say it took a while, but I’m glad to have him here.
make my dad proud
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Voss’ father, Henk, continued his illustrious career with every pedal stroke, every bike race and every victory. He is taking part in the women’s Tour de France to support his daughter’s goal of winning the opening stage on Sunday on the Champs-Elysées. In an interview with cycling newsHenk remembers his daughter’s victory in the inaugural race of La Course in 2014 and how far the sport has come.
Henk, who stores cycling memorabilia, winners’ jerseys, trophies and medals, said in a shed on the family property being converted into a museum.
When asked how he felt about Voss securing his first yellow jersey on Sunday, he replied: “First you have to win. Most of the time, when Marianne starts running, she is the favourite. Now you can win and wear yellow. I imagine… If this happens, I have no words. Every time you win, it’s special. »
Voss is gearing up for her best performance on Sunday, but even if she doesn’t win, having the chance to compete in the Tour de France would be a huge moment in itself for her and the other 143 women in the race.
“It’s special to be back here now and to do a full Tour de France, but the moment when I won my first La Course was a step forward. We had our first Champs Elysées, and I remember it very well. Now we’re here for the full Tour de France And it’s going to be an intense week of racing… I can’t wait to be there. »
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