The Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift 2024, scheduled from the 12th to the 18th of August, promises to be a thrilling event. With 154 riders from 22 teams, each comprising seven members, the race covers a total distance of 949.7 km across eight stages. The journey starts with the first-ever Grand Départ from abroad in the Netherlands and concludes at the legendary L’Alpe d’Huez in France. The riders will traverse three countries: the Netherlands, Belgium, and France.
This year’s race includes three flat stages, two hilly stages, and two mountain stages, along with one individual time trial. The elevation gain across the stages totals 13,566 metres. Notably, the longest stage stretches 166.4 km from Champagnole to Le Grand-Bornand. The peloton will face 27 cols and climbs, including two HC climbs, one category 1, six category 2, eight category 3, and ten category 4 climbs. The highest point of the race will be at the Col du Glandon, at an altitude of 1,924 metres during Stage 8.
Engagement and Viewers
The race will be broadcast on five continents and in 190 countries, with the host broadcaster being France Télévisions and Eurovision Sport. Over the week, more than 22 hours of live coverage will be produced. The race has garnered significant attention, with nearly 20 million French viewers and over 80 million viewing hours recorded in seven European countries. The Netherlands alone saw a 42% audience share for Stage 7, highlighting the intense duel between Dutch riders, the 2022 winner Annemiek van Vleuten and the eventual winner Demi Vollering.
Digital engagement for the Tour de France Femmes continues to soar, with more than 74.4 million video views on official platforms, half of which are from TikTok, marking a 238% increase from 2022. The web series Femmes du Tour has entered its third season, accumulating over 3.3 million views, while the first edition has amassed 10.7 million views. The race also boasts a dedicated online community of over 2.5 million fans.
Photo Credit: ASO-Charly LopezSocial Commitments and Sustainability
The race organisation is committed to sustainability and social initiatives. All XPO Logistics trucks involved in the race run on biofuel. There are 96 fountains connected to the mains water supply along the route. The race also protects 20 sensitive nature sites and has 25 waste zones dedicated to the riders. The “A Bicycle for All” initiative has donated nearly 250 charity bicycles to underprivileged children, supporting their access to employment, and has helped 154 women prepare for the Grand Départ from Rotterdam with a year-long training programme.
The Tour de France Femmes continues to inspire the next generation of cyclists, with the “Little Riders” programme introducing 3,500 children to cycling in 2022 and donating 330 balance bikes to nursery schools and leisure centres. Additionally, the race features 10 official sponsors, five official suppliers, and four institutional sponsors. The publicity caravan includes 30 vehicles covering a 2 km convoy, and 48 young female cyclists from France will get a taste of the Tour de France Femmes through the “Elles Arrivent!” programme.
As the anticipation mounts for the 2024 Tour de France Femmes, the event reflects the increasing prominence and appreciation of women’s cycling worldwide. This year’s race, with its challenging stages, extensive broadcast reach, and robust digital engagement, is set to captivate a diverse audience and inspire future generations of cyclists. The commitment to sustainability and community initiatives further underscores the race’s impact beyond the competitive spectacle, making it a significant event on the sporting calendar.
