Back where it belongs
It’s Saturday afternoon and teams pile into the Théâtre Luxembourg; the room is alive with chatter, the gathered throng a mass of excited energy. ‘We’ve been waiting for this for so long,’ says FDJ’s Cecilie Uttrup Ludwig, her anticipation visible despite the Covid mask covering half her face. ‘It’s a dream come true.’
And what a long dream it has been. Tomorrow, 144 riders will line up in the shadow of the Eiffel Tower for the first stage of the Tour de France Femmes, 33 years after women’s cycling last had its own Grand Boucle. Yes, in years past there have been women’s stage races in France, but not since 1989 has there been an official women’s Tour de France – that is, one backed by Tour organiser ASO.
‘I think it’s a new start,’ says FDJ-Suez-Futuroscope’s green jersey hope Vittoria Guazzini. ‘The Tour is the biggest event in the world and the fact we finally get to have one is unbelievable. We will see what this week brings, but for sure it will mean good things for women’s cycling.’
Boulevard of dreams
Looking straight down the Avenue des Champs-Élysées, scores of flags decorate the circuit as the harsh sun makes a shimmering mirage of the Arc du Triomphe. It’s Sunday, 1.37pm and the peloton is Nicolas Maire as he looks on. ‘The men finish here every year, so it is fitting that we start here.’
