The Tour de France Femmes once again consists of nine stages this year. The women's races of the Vuelta a España (7 days) and the Giro d'Italia (8 days) also last significantly less time than the three-week tours in men's cycling. This raises the question of whether women's cycling is gradually ready for longer stage races. Sporza co-commentator Ine Beyen and team director Jos van Emden believe it is not possible, while Riejanne Markus sees it differently.
In her column in Het Nieuwsblad, Beyen states that the women's peloton is not yet ready for a three-week tour. "There is occasional discussion about whether a Grand Tour for women should also last three weeks. My answer is no. The women’s peloton is not ready for that," the former professional rider notes.
"The women’s peloton still needs to develop further to remain attractive. If this Tour were a week longer, you wouldn't suddenly see different names creating another competition. It would remain the same names," she continues.
Ine Beyen - photo: Cor Vos
"By the way, I wonder if it’s really necessary to extend it to three weeks. Let’s try two weeks in a few years and see how that goes. Even among men, they wonder if three weeks is too much. How often do you see that it’s already decided even before the third week?”
According to Beyen, the sport must remain attractive enough to continue drawing sponsors and audiences. Because the top level, according to the analyst, is not yet broad enough, the Tour risks becoming less attractive if racing lasts longer. Team director Jos van Emden shares this opinion in a conversation with Tom Dumoulin for Avondetappe.
Anna van der Breggen also thinks a nine-day Tour is long enough. "For me, it’s long enough—I’m exhausted after nine days," she laughs. "Let’s see how many girls are still racing at the end and then discuss it for the following years."
According to Riejanne Markus, the Tour could last longer - photo: Cor Vos
Expansion is possible
According to other stakeholders, it would be possible to extend the Tour de France Femmes. Riejanne Markus, rider for Lidl-Trek, was even disappointed when she saw the Tour route presentation. "In the past, we’ve had a Giro lasting ten days several times, and now it’s very special that the Tour lasts nine stages," says the former Dutch time trial champion sarcastically in front of the NOS camera.
"Seeing the level at which we ride in this peloton, I believe it should last at least two weeks," Markus states. Albert Timmer, team director at Picnic-PostNL, also thinks the peloton could handle a longer Tour Femmes. "Whether it’s nine, twelve, or thirteen days, I think they’re simply ready. I can’t think of any reason why it wouldn’t be possible," he says.
| Date | Stage | From | To |
|---|---|---|---|
| 26-07 | 1 |  Vannes | Plumelec |
| 27-07 | 2 | Brest | Quimper |
| 28-07 | 3 | La Gacilly | Angers |
| 29-07 | 4 | Saumur | Poitiers |
| 30-07 | 5 | Futuroscope | Guéret |
| 31-07 | 6 | Clermont-Ferrand | Ambert |
| 01-08 | 7 | Bourg-en-Bresse | Chambéry |
| 02-08 | 8 | Chambéry | Saint-François Longchamp (Col de la Madeleine) |
| 03-08 | 9 | Praz-sur-Arly | Châtel |
