The 2024 cycling summer promises to be packed with action for the top women cyclists worldwide. The Tour de France Femmes, detached from the men’s Tour de France, will kick off on Monday, 12th August in Rotterdam, the day after the final day of the track cycling events at the Olympic Games.
In July, the Giro d’Italia Women will take place concurrently with the men’s Tour de France, although it has seen a decline in prestige due to the rise of the Tour de France Femmes. Despite this, the Giro remains a significant lead-up event for the Olympics. The Baloise Ladies Tour in Belgium will also serve as a preparatory race.
The action in Paris includes an individual time trial and a mountain bike race during the opening weekend. The women’s road race follows a week later, directly followed by the track cycling events. For endurance cyclists, often also road racers, the team pursuit (final on 7th August), madison (final on 9th August), and omnium (final on 11th August) are particularly noteworthy.
This schedule presents a challenge for favourite Lotte Kopecky. With the Tour de France Femmes starting just a day after the Olympic omnium, she faces a tough decision. “I don’t know how I will manage it,” she remarked. “Skipping the omnium is certainly not an option for me. We will have to see with the team and the Belgian federation whether it will be feasible. I need to decide whether to ride the Tour or not.”
Previously the talk was that Kopecky would skip this year’s Tour de France Femmes, whereas this quote just keeps the possibility open. She’s not alone in having to try and balance the Giro, Tour and the Olympics this season.
Key Events in 2024 Summer Calendar
- Giro d’Italia Women: Sunday, 7th July – Sunday, 14th July
- Olympic time trial, women: Saturday, 27th July
- Olympic Cross Country mountain bike, women: Sunday, 28th July
- Olympic road race, women: Sunday, 4th August
- Olympic track events: Monday, 5th August – Sunday, 11th August (omnium final on the last day)
- Tour de France Femmes: Monday, 12th August – Sunday, 18th August (Grand Départ in Rotterdam)
