Tour de France Femmes: THE Race of the Year to Watch

The Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift isn’t just another bike race—it’s the cycling equivalent of a superhero making a grand entrance! This race is shaking things up for women’s cycling, bringing empowerment, gender equality, and putting a well-deserved spotlight on a sport that’s been waiting in the wings for way too long.

Trust me, the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift is the race of the year to watch. I’ll tell you why!

Trust me. The Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift is the race of the year to watch.

The Inspiring Fight for Women’s Cycling Recognition

Women’s cycling has had its fair share of challenges, but it’s also packed with inspiring stories of resilience and determination. Take Alfonsina Strada, for example—she shattered barriers back in 1924 by becoming the first woman to compete in a Grand Tour. But the journey hasn’t been easy. Female cyclists have faced everything from limited race opportunities and media coverage to outright skepticism about their abilities.

The first women’s Tour de France was raced in 1955. Many dismissed it as just a publicity stunt, with little support or fanfare. Fast forward to 1984, and the Tour de France Féminin gave women cyclists a moment in the spotlight, but financial struggles and lack of institutional backing ultimately led to its end in 1989.

Still, the dream of a women’s Grand Tour never faded. Through various names and formats—like the Tour de la CEE Féminin and La Grande Boucle Féminine Internationale—women’s stage racing in France kept going until 2009. Though it never quite matched the fame of the men’s Tour, each race brought us one step closer to the exciting era of women’s cycling we’re seeing today.

The Turning Point: Thank You Zwift!

A major breakthrough came in 2014 when activists and pro cyclists demanded a high-profile women’s race. Enter La Course by Le Tour de France—a one-day event that shared the limelight with the men’s Tour. While it put women’s cycling on the map, critics argued it was a bit like serving appetizers when we wanted the full feast.

It was a bit like serving appetizers—when we wanted the full feast!

In 2022, the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift rolled into town, bringing with it a full-blown, multi-stage Grand Tour for women. This nine-stage race now stands proudly as a cornerstone of the UCI Women’s World Tour. It’s attracting top talent, global fans, and—finally—giving women’s cycling the spotlight it deserves.

Kate Veronneau: The Superhero Behind the Scenes

Kate Veronneau might not be pedaling in the race herself, but she’s the powerhouse behind the scenes who helped shape the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift into the epic event it is today. As Director of Women’s Cycling at Zwift, Kate has been instrumental in pushing for equal recognition and top-tier conditions for women cyclists. Think of her as the ultimate race director—making sure every climb, sprint, and celebratory moment is nothing short of spectacular.

Thanks to her efforts, the race isn’t just a sidekick to the men’s Tour; it’s a full-blown, world-class spectacle that’s put women’s cycling where it should be—front and center.

So here’s to Kate—proof that sometimes the best support comes from the women cheering loudest off the course!

Why the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift Matters

1. A Platform for Equality and Change

The Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift  isn’t just about who crosses the finish line first—it’s a full-blown revolution on wheels! This race is smashing stereotypes and proving that women’s cycling deserves the same spotlight, resources, and respect as the men’s. With millions tuning in, iconic jerseys, and finish lines that rival the men’s Tour, it’s sending a clear message: women belong at the top of the podium.

Thanks to this race, sponsorships are soaring, media coverage is booming, and prize money is finally catching up—leaving old prejudices in the dust. As more fans cheer on the action, young riders dream bigger, national teams invest deeper, and the whole cycling world levels up.

2. A Showcase for Spectacle and Inspiration

The Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift serves up drama, grit, and heart-stopping moments—think brutal mountain climbs, mind-blowing tactics, and finishes that’ll have you on the edge of your seat—or on your bike riding along during a Zwift Watch Party!

With nine thrilling stages and the iconic yellow, polka-dot, green, and white jerseys, it’s got all the glamour and prestige of the men’s Tour—but it’s even better.

And let’s not forget the real kicker: the competition is next-level intense. This race isn’t just keeping up with the men’s Tour—it’s paving its own path to greatness.

3. Pedal Power: Fueling the Future of Women’s Cycling

A thriving Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift isn’t just a win for the race—it’s a turbo boost for women’s cycling everywhere! With global broadcasters and big-name sponsors jumping on board, the whole sport gets a serious upgrade. More investment means better training, stronger teams, competitive salaries, and a buzzing grassroots scene that’s setting the stage for future superstars.

So, if you want to see women’s cycling soar to new heights, do your part—tune in, cheer loud, and spread the word! Watch the Femmes!

Better Than the Men’s Tour. Seriously.

If you’ve been around here a while, you know I don’t believe in holding back—I’ve got opinions, and I’m happy to share them!

With Tadej Pogačar basically winning everything in the Tour de France— huge time gaps, multiple stage wins, and even eyeing the green jersey—it starts to feel less like a nail-biter and more like watching a one-man show where the rest are just background extras. It’s a cycling snoozefest.

Plus, UAE Team’s dominance cranks up the pressure for everyone else, making it harder for rival teams to shine, win stages, or attract the much needed sponsorships they need to stay in the pro ranks.

Watching sports is as much about hope as it is about skill. It’s that thrill of rooting for the underdog to snatch a surprise stage win, or the team that suddenly breaks away and etches their name into history.

The magic really comes alive when the race is unpredictable: when the yellow jersey changes shoulders, when breakaways stick, or when a rider in their first big Tour claws their way up the mountain to everyone’s astonishment. That’s what keeps fans glued to their screens, heart in their throats—the possible, the unexpected, the beautiful chaos of it all.

That’s exactly why switching gears to the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift is such a breath of fresh air. The women’s race is bursting with unpredictable moments, fierce battles, and that glorious “anything can happen” vibe. Here, the fight isn’t a foregone conclusion—there’s real hope for underdogs, dramatic team tactics, and plenty of stage winners carving their names into history. It’s the antidote to the Pogačar parade, packed with personality, passion, and excitement.

It’s a reminder that cycling is a team sport built on humans chasing dreams—and sometimes those dreams come true in the most spectacular ways.

It’s a reminder that cycling is a team sport built on humans chasing dreams—and sometimes those dreams come true in the most spectacular ways.

So yes, if the men’s Tour is starting to feel like a rerun, the Femmes are serving up a thrilling new episode every stage. Definitely time to tune in and Watch the Femmes—because this race has all the drama and heart you want from cycling.

. . . . .

Next up? The Tour de France Femmes party on Zwift is about to get lit! Unlock the brand-new Watch the Femmes 2025 kit, enjoy club-branded rides, crush TdFF Workouts of the Week, and join the ultimate Watch Party rides for every stage—led by pros, and women’s cycling ambassadors.

I’m thrilled to be leading the final Stage 9 Watch Party! Expect some epic riding, plenty of hype, and—of course—a sprinkle of Tour de France Femmes trivia to keep things fun. Mark your calendars and join me for an epic wrap-up to the 2025 Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift on August 3rd!