The Tour de France Femmes route is the biggest and toughest in women’s road cycling, echoing the grandeur and challenges of its male counterpart. Initially launched in 1984, the women’s Tour de France faced numerous challenges over the years, including financial difficulties and logistical issues, leading to its discontinuation in 1989. Further versions drifted on for a few years but it wasn’t until La Course in 2014 that ASO committed to hosting a women’s race again. The popularity of that even helped lead to the current Tour de France Femmes.
Revived in 2022, the modern Tour de France Femmes aims to provide a platform equal in prestige and challenge to the men’s Tour de France. The re-established race has been met with enthusiasm, featuring a robust schedule that tests the riders’ endurance, skill, and tactical acumen over varied terrains. The 2024 edition continues this tradition, promising a route that is both demanding and scenic, highlighting the diversity of the sport.
The 2024 Tour de France Femmes route can come under a bit of criticism since it was announced, mainly for taking almost half of the stage race to actually reach France and the thin sliver it does visit. Mixed in with that is the finish on the legendary Alpe d’Huez which will captivate fans as the GC is decided on the final day. This year’s route has been affected by the proximity of the Olympic Games to the race, with many French regions tapped out on sporting events for 2024. Still, we already know the 2025 Tour will begin in Brittany.
2024 Tour de France Femmes Route
Stage 1: Rotterdam – The Hague (124 km)
The Tour de France Femmes route kicks off with a flat stage from Rotterdam to The Hague. Starting in Vlaardingen, the route features minimal elevation changes. Despite this, the organisers have managed to include a segment to award the first polka dot jersey points. This occurs at the end of the Maasdeltatunnel, where riders will ascend about 46.5 metres. The stage is expected to end in a sprint finish along Kijkduin’s beachfront, favouring riders like Lorena Wiebes and Charlotte Kool.
Lorena Wiebes will have circled this stage on her calendar, recognising it as a prime opportunity to claim the first yellow jersey on home soil. The last few hundred metres of the stage are slightly uphill, adding an extra challenge to the final sprint.
Start: 12.15 pm
Finish: Between 3.30 pm and 4.00 pm
Stage 2: Dordrecht – Rotterdam (67 km)
Day two features a rare occurrence in modern professional cycling with two stages in one day. The morning begins with a short and flat stage from Dordrecht to Rotterdam. The route passes through Oud-Alblas, Nieuw-Lekkerland, Ridderkerk, and Barendrecht, ending in the centre of Rotterdam along the Boompjes near the Nieuwe Maas, close to the Erasmus Bridge.
The profile of the stage is completely flat, without any significant obstacles, making it ideal for sprinters. The short distance of just 67 kilometres suggests a high-speed race that will likely conclude with a thrilling sprint finish. This stage sets the tone for the early part of the Tour, favouring fast riders who can maintain high speeds on flat terrain. The winner of the opening stage is well-positioned to defend the yellow jersey in the afternoon time trial.
Veteran cycling fans might reminisce about past eras where multiple stages in a single day were more common. The last time the men’s Tour de France featured two stages in one day was in 1991, with a road stage and a team time trial.
Start: 9.50 am
Finish: Between 11.35 am and 12.00 pm
Stage 3: Time Trial in Rotterdam (6.3 km)
The afternoon of the second day features a short individual time trial in Rotterdam. This 6.3 km course is designed for powerful riders, with long, straight sections dominating the route. Starting on the Schiedamsedijk and Coolsingel, riders will race at top speed towards the Hofplein roundabout. After the turnaround point, the course returns towards the Erasmus Bridge, marking the start of a series of bridges in the final three kilometres, including the Spoorweghavenbrug, Binnenhavenbrug, Koninginnebrug, and Willemsbrug. The final kilometre runs straight along the Nieuwe Maas to the finish on the Boompjes.
Demi Vollering has expressed that this time trial will be challenging for her. “It will be tough, I think,” she told WielerFlits. “For me, it’s more of a sprinter’s thing because it’s so short and powerful. But I’m going to enjoy it immensely.”
Lorena Wiebes, on the other hand, is determined to ride full throttle to achieve her primary goal: losing as little time as possible and retaining the yellow jersey. She aims to win the first two stages, which would ensure she wears the yellow jersey into the time trial.
Start: 3.10 pm (first rider)
Finish: Around 5.50 pm (last rider)
Stage 4: Valkenburg – Liège (122 km)
Stage four is a distinctive blend of the Amstel Gold Race and Liège-Bastogne-Liège. Beginning in the tourist hub of Valkenburg, renowned for its cycling history, the route covers 122 kilometres to Liège in Belgium. The initial section features the iconic climbs of the Bemelerberg (twice), Cauberg, and Geulhemmerweg. These early climbs, while famous, are not expected to significantly impact the race dynamics but will provide a contest for the mountain points.
Valkenburg, a regular host of major cycling events, once again underscores its status as a cycling capital with this stage. According to local official John Wauben, events like these help boost local sports participation, a trend observed after previous major races hosted in the city.
As the race progresses into Belgium, the final 35 kilometres mimic the challenging finale of La Doyenne. Riders will tackle the Mont-Theux (2.8 km at 5.6%) before facing the steep gradients of the Côte de la Redoute (1.6 km at 9.4%), Côte des Forges (1.3 km at 7.8%), and Côte de la Roche-aux-Faucons (1.3 km at 11%). The final ten kilometres continue to present difficulties, making this a crucial day for strong puncheurs.
Recent winners of races on similar terrains, like Marianne Vos and Grace Brown, might find themselves in contention here. Vos triumphed in the 2024 Amstel Gold Race, narrowly defeating Lorena Wiebes, while Grace Brown managed to tick off a monument victory in this year’s Liège-Bastogne-Liège.
Start: 12.25 pm
Finish: Between 3.50 pm and 4.10 pm
Stage 5: Bastogne – Amnéville (150 km)
Stage five marks the entry into France, starting in Bastogne, Belgium, and finishing in Amnéville after 150 kilometres. This stage is a transition or rolling stage featuring five categorised climbs, none excessively steep. The climbs include the Côte de Hotte (1.3 km at 6.2%), Côte de Saint-Pancre (2.1 km at 6.2%), Côte de Fermont (1.5 km at 5.1%), Côte de Briey (1 km at 4.8%), and Côte de Montois-la-Montagne (1.4 km at 5.9%). The final categorised climb tops out 15 kilometres from the finish, offering a potential opportunity for sprinters to make a move.
The last 600 metres of the stage are particularly challenging, with an average gradient of 5.2%, making it suitable for powerful sprinters like Wiebes. This stage might be the last chance for sprinters before the race heads into more mountainous terrain.
Start: 11.55 am
Finish: Between 3.45 pm and 4.15 pm
Stage 6: Remiremont – Morteau (160 km)
Stage six signifies the first significant test for climbers, with a challenging 160 km route from Remiremont to Morteau. The stage includes five categorised climbs, starting with the Col du Mont de Fourche (3.2 km at 5.9%) and Col du Ferriere (2.6 km at 4.7%) in the first hundred kilometres, which feature continuous ups and downs but are not overly strenuous.
The mid-stage Côte de Laviron (5.7 km at 4.1%) sets the stage for a more intense final thirty kilometres. The decisive action is expected on the Roche du Prêtre (5.5 km at 5.6%), whose summit is 26 kilometres from the finish. Following this climb, the route continues to rise slightly before tackling the Côte des Fins (1.8 km at 6.9%). The final kilometres feature a descent towards Morteau, providing an exciting finish that suits attacking climbers.
With over 2,200 metres of elevation gain, this stage will test the riders’ climbing abilities and should reshape the general classification. It is another challenging transition stage, marking a significant shift from the flatter early stages to the more demanding mountainous terrain.
Start: 11.30 am
Finish: Between 3.45 pm and 4.15 pm
Stage 7: Champagnole – Le Grand-Bornand (167 km)
The penultimate stage from Champagnole to Le Grand-Bornand is the longest of the race at 167 km and features five categorised climbs. The stage begins with the Col de la Croix de Serra (12 km at 5.1%), followed by the Côte de Bois d’Arlod (2.4 km at 4.6%) and the Côte de Cercier (4 km at 4.9%). These early climbs will wear down the riders, setting the stage for the decisive final 20 kilometres.
In the finale, the riders face two significant climbs. First, the Col de Saint-Jean-de-Sixt (5.4 km at 5.1%), whose summit is 11 kilometres from the finish. A short descent follows, leading to the Montée du Chinaillon (7 km at 5.1%), where the stage concludes. The finish line at Le Grand-Bornand has a history of dramatic race conclusions, including the notable 2009 Tour de France stage won by Frank Schleck.
This stage, with its challenging climbs and length, will be crucial for the general classification. Riders aiming for the overall victory will need to perform exceptionally well here to maintain or improve their standings before the final stage.
Start: 10.30 am
Finish: Between 3.25 pm and 4.05 pm
Stage 8: Le Grand-Bornand – Alpe d’Huez (150 km)
The final stage of the Tour de France Femmes route in 2024 is a gruelling 150 km route from Le Grand-Bornand to Alpe d’Huez, featuring some of the most iconic climbs in cycling. Starting in Le Grand-Bornand, the route first tackles the Col de Tamié (9.5 km at 4.0%), followed by the demanding Col du Glandon (19.7 km at 7.2%). This long and steep climb ends with a final kilometre nearly reaching a 9% gradient.
After the Col du Glandon, riders will have a brief respite before the final challenge: the iconic Alpe d’Huez. This climb, famous for its 21 hairpin bends, stretches 13.8 km at an average gradient of 8%. Known as the “Dutch Mountain,” Alpe d’Huez has a rich history in the Tour de France, and its inclusion as the finale for the Tour de France Femmes ensures a dramatic conclusion.
The Alpe d’Huez has seen many legendary winners, including Geraint Thomas, Thibaut Pinot, Alberto Contador, Marco Pantani, and the Dutchwoman Leontien Zijlaard-van Moorsel, who won here in both 1992 and 1993 during the Grande Boucle Féminine Internationale. The rider who claims victory on Alpe d’Huez this year will join a prestigious list of champions.This queen stage, with its severe climbs and historic finish, is expected to be decisive for the general classification. Riders will need to muster every ounce of strength and strategy to conquer these final ascents and secure their place in cycling history.
Start: 1.40 pm
Finish: Between 6.40 pm and 7.25 pm
