Seven days after Big start of Tour de France women with zwift In Brittany, the peloton begins the major deadlines from this Friday with the ascent of the Col du Granier during this 7th stage between Bourg-en-Bresse and Chambéry. Between popular fervor to the banks of the roads, domination in the sprint of Lorena Wiebes (Team SD World Protime), a surprising yellow jersey in the person of the Mauritian Kim LeCourt (AG Insurance-Soudal Team) or the first French victory obtained by Maëva Squiban (Uae Team Adq) in Ambert, it may be one of the most beautiful editions of Women's tour. Even if this Large loop is not over, the time is almost up to the balance sheet for Marion Rousse (The director of the Tour de France women with Zwift) on these first seven days, but also for the beautiful stages that it remains to come. She spoke at the organization's microphone this morning from Bourg-en-Bresse.
“Girls on a bicycle, it rolls quickly!”
The assessment is frankly very good, even excellent. Since the big departure in Brittany, there has been a massive audience by the roads, and that has not been full. Every day, we are witnessing an incredible race, with averages that break all records. Girls on a bicycle, it rolls fast! And then yesterday, with the French double, what more can they ask as director?
What can Maëva Squiban's victory bring in the longer term, for the development of French cycling?
It is obviously very positive. Cédrine (Kerbaol) had already won, but two French victories in the spot, it is very important for the development of female cycling in France. It is also excellent for public interest. We know that we are already doing very good audiences, but when French people are at the front, capable of winning, playing the yellow jersey … It attracts even more people. Moreover, Pauline Ferrand-Prévot is still second to general, and Cédrine Kerbaol, Juliette Labous and Evita Muzic are also very well placed. We feel a real dynamic. I will not recall the evidence: the last French winner of the male tour was Bernard Hinault. So yes, I am very happy, and confident for the last weekend.
You insist a lot on the public. Are you impressed?
Very impressed, yes. And I'm not the only one. Christian Prudhomme has been there for a few days on this female Tour de France, and he confided to me: “Honestly, I no longer see any difference with the male tour. »» It is a real tour of France, and that is a successful bet.
A prognosis for the rest of the race?
Today, we have a nice step for the escapes, with an arrival in Chambéry. The main difficulties are concentrated in the last 60 kilometers, so the first 100 are rather flat. A breakaway can get ahead, especially with the deviations already present to the general. But the real turning point will be tomorrow with the arrival at the top of the Madeleine. It will be a first big test: we will finally see where the big favorites are located. For the moment, we do not have the impression that a runner clearly dominates. There is also a big question mark around Kim Lecourt, which seems very impressive, and it may not yet know how far it can go. This is what is great this year: from the first days, new contenders for the final victory have been revealed. And then we must not forget the Châtel stage, with the Joux-Plane in the middle. It will not be an arrival at the top, but this pass could redistribute the cards, especially for those who have lost time in the Madeleine.
