Tour de France Femmes

Over the years, these races struggled with financial difficulties, limited media coverage, sexism, and trademark issues with the organisers of the Tour de France.

[6] The rider with the lowest cumulative finishing times is the leader of the race and wears the yellow jersey (maillot jaune).

[6] Achieving a stage win also provides prestige, often accomplished by a team's sprint specialist or a rider taking part in a breakaway.

[16][9] Following substantial media coverage, and a petition signed by over 100,000 people,[17] ASO launched La Course by Tour de France in 2014.

[25] Pushing back on criticism, ASO stated that logistical issues mean that a men's and women's Tour de France would not be able to be staged simultaneously,[26] and that any race must be financially sustainable.

[23][27] In June 2021, ASO announced that they would launch a new women's stage race, Tour de France Femmes.

ASO also announced that Zwift would sponsor the race, with live television coverage provided by France Télévisions in conjunction with the European Broadcasting Union.

[12] The reaction to the launch of the event from the professional women's peloton was overwhelmingly positive,[30] with Anna van der Breggen stating that it has "long been a dream for many of us to compete in a women's Tour de France"[31] and Cecilie Uttrup Ludwig stating that "this is a day that we’ve waited for, for a long time".

[40][41][42] As the first official women's Tour de France since 1989, the race enjoyed substantial media coverage around the world.

[43][44] Race director Marion Rousse did note that there was room for improvement in future editions, and in women's cycling more generally.

[46][47] The race started in Clermont-Ferrand on the day that the 2023 Tour de France finished, before heading south across the Massif Central towards the Pyrenees.

[46] The race was won by Demi Vollering, beating her rival Annemiek van Vleuten with a dominant stage win on the Col du Tourmalet.