Cautious welcome for Women's Tour de France plan

Tour boss confirms women’s race will return in 2022

- Vern Pitt

Top riders and campaigners have given a cautious but optimistic welcome to the announcement last week that the inaugural modern women’s Tour de France will take place in 2022.

Last week Tour de France director Christian Prudhomme finally confirmed the long-rumoured return of the race to the Guardian. “It will take place next year, that’s certain,” Prudhomme said. “It would have happened this year if it had not been for the Covid-19 pandemic, obviously, and above all if the Tokyo Olympics had not been after the [men’s] Tour, so the best riders may not be available. But the decision has been taken.”

Details of the exact route and length will be announced in October but it will take place immediately after the men’s Tour.

Speaking to Cycling Weekly Lizzie Deignan said: “It’s really important. I mean, there is no bigger stage for exposure for sponsors. I ride for TrekSegafredo that has a men’s team and there’s no bigger race for them. It’s only going to lead to more investment.”

“There’s no bigger stage for exposure for sponsors”

Hannah Barnes was slightly more cautious. “I think how it happens depends on whether it’s a good or bad thing for women’s cycling.”

Both Barnes and Deignan said having the Tour de France name on a women’s race would be positive. Barnes said: “People would be a lot more interested in it because of the men’s race and the history.”