As La Course ends, top women relish 2022 Tour prospects

New eight-day race fuels hopes of a full three-week Tour

- Peter Cossins

The eighth edition of La Course by Le Tour provided another demonstration of the ability of the women’s peloton to serve up a thrilling spectacle, as Demi Vollering (SD Worx) outsprinted her rivals to take the title at the top of the Côte de la Fosse aux Loups.

There was little Cecilie Uttrup Ludwig (FDJ Nouvelle-Aquitaine Futuroscope) and Marianne Vos (Jumbo-Visma), in second and third respectively, could do to stop her.

Just as significant as the young Dutchwoman’s success, though, was the fact that this was set to be the final running of a race that was always intended to be the stepping stone to a Tour de France Féminin. Tour organiser ASO confirmed in mid-June that an eight-day women’s event will take place in 2022, with full details of the route set to be unveiled in October.

“The Tour de France Féminin is coming and it’s going to be huge”