In February, the Amaury Sports Organization (ASO) announced that it would stage a women's race as part of the final stage of the Tour de France. The course of the race was presented in Paris together with the three-time road and seven-time cyclocross world champion Marianne Vos (Liv).
Accordingly, the participants will complete 27 laps on the Champs-Élysées on July 13th. During the first eleven passages, a premium sprint is made. In addition to winning the day and honoring the best sprinter, the best driver under the age of 25 is also honored.
However, the ASO has other special features in store for the race. It is particularly remarkable that the winner receives prize money of 22.500 euros. The amount is the same as that awarded for a stage win for men. In addition, the race will be accompanied by an all-female motorcycle relay and a female jury. Only on the podium will the drivers have to deal with men - when they accept the prizes podium boys.
"This is a historic day", according to Vos. “I am very happy with the fact that ASO understands the need to support women's cycling. We needed a race at this level and the ASO gives us the opportunity to do it.”
The course will be 90 kilometers long and open to a field of over 100 athletes. In addition, La Course by Le Tour de France will be broadcast in 147 countries.