The evolutionary journey of the Tour de France Femmes, from Millie Robinson to Pauline Ferrand-Prévot, spans over seven decades.
In the world of cycling, the Tour de France is a name synonymous with prestige and tradition. However, for many years, women riders were left out of the limelight, with the first women's Tour de France, the Tour de France Femmes, only being established in 1984.
That year, the Tour de France Feminin, as it was then known, made history as the first women's race to join the "Champs Elysees elite". American Marianne Martin became the inaugural winner of this 18-day stage race, which ran simultaneously with the men's Tour de France but along shortened routes and shared finish lines.
However, the early years of the Tour de France Feminin were fraught with challenges. Financial difficulties, limited media coverage, sexism, and discrimination were just some of the hurdles that the women riders faced during the 1980s and beyond. The race changed names multiple times, reflecting an ongoing lack of consistent backing and challenges in establishment.
British cyclist Louise Garbett made history in 1984 by becoming the first Brit to win a Tour jersey (best young rider) in the women's race. Clare Greenwood, another participant, faced a harrowing moment during the race when her drink hit a lamppost and ricocheted back into the peloton, causing an attack.
Despite these setbacks, Marianne Martin’s victory marked a significant milestone. However, the women's Tour de France's struggle for parity and stability continued for decades after. It took five years of campaigning to initiate La Course, a one-day race which debuted in 2014 on the Champs Elysees.
Fast forward to the 2020s, and the Tour de France Femmes has been re-established as a professional and highly publicized race, matching the appetite for women's racing that Bertine, a prominent figure in women's cycling, sees. The first proper attempt at a "Tour féminin cyclist" was in 1955, but it lasted only one edition due to insufficient coverage.
The 2022 edition of the Tour de France Femmes started on the Champs Elysees the day the men's Tour finished there, encouraging spectators to watch both. The race was broadcast in 190 countries, and a sponsor's report found that 85% of respondents now consider professional cycling a viable profession for women to aspire to.
Pauline Ferrand-Prévot, a rider in the Tour de France Femmes, grew up wishing she was a boy so she could win the Tour de France. She is France's first Tour winner since Jeannie Longo in 1989. Bertine, who runs an organization for young professional riders, encounters many women who are unaware of La Course or the Féminin, highlighting the need for increased visibility and recognition for women's cycling.
Bertine also advocates for equal prize money for the Tour de France Femmes riders, as she calculated they earn 29% of their male counterparts' pay per day raced. Riders in the Tour de France Féminin relied on fans for information and fuel during long climbs, a stark contrast to the well-supported and technologically advanced races of today.
The Tour de France Femmes represents a significant step forward in the recognition and celebration of women's cycling. As we look to the future, it's clear that there is still work to be done to ensure parity and equal opportunities for all riders. But with advocates like Bertine and the success of the Tour de France Femmes, it's an exciting time for women's cycling.
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