Tour de France Femmes 2024: Record crowd at Grand Départ in the Netherlands

18/04/2024 - Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift - Yellow Thursday Rotterdam - Media Day

The past few days in the Netherlands have seen a tremendous interest in the Tour de France Femmes. The start of the first stage of the women’s race attracted a record crowd, according to the organisation behind the Dutch Tour start.

Over 47,000 fans cheered on the riders in Rotterdam, 122,000 lined the course, and more than 77,000 spectators were present at the finish in The Hague. The Tour de France Femmes spent two days in South Holland, with three stages held in total. The time trial through the centre of Rotterdam notably drew a huge public crowd. Nearly 80,000 people lined the 6.3-kilometre course.

In total, the organisation counted a staggering 415,000 visitors during the three Dutch stages: Rotterdam-The Hague, Dordrecht-Rotterdam, and the time trial in Rotterdam.

Tour-de-France-Femmes-Demi-Vollering-rules-Rotterdam-with-stage-3-time-trial-victory-and-moves-into-yellow-jersey

The Grand Départ of the Tour de France Femmes came with a rich cultural, social, and sporting programme. Various activities were organised to engage residents and visitors alike. These included cycling clinics, tours, city programmes, and bike collection actions.

Ahmed Aboutaleb, the Mayor of Rotterdam, was very pleased with how the Tour start unfolded. “What an incredible turnout we had at the Grand Départ in Rotterdam and so many supporters along the route during the three stages. It was wonderful to see such enthusiasm from the cycling fans,” he said.

“We already knew how much the Tour resonates in the Netherlands, but the riders were visibly impressed by all the attention. And not just that: with this world-renowned race, Rotterdam – along with The Hague and Dordrecht – once again put itself on the international map.”