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.
The ASO has a few more special features in store for the race. Most notably, the winner will receive a prize of €22.500. This sum is equivalent to the prize money awarded for a stage win in the men's race. Furthermore, the race will be accompanied by an all-female motorcycle team and a female jury. The only time the female riders will encounter men is on the podium – when they receive their prizes from the podium boys.
“This is a historic day ,” said Vos. “I am very happy that the ASO understands the need to support women’s cycling. We needed a race at this level and the ASO is giving us the opportunity to do so.”
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.