Seven woman teams a possibility at the 2023 Tour de France Femmes
Race Director Marion Rousse confirms the organisers ASO are considering other changes for 2023, including the possibility of a time trial
Teams have welcomed news organisers of the Tour de France Femmes are considering allowing seven women squads for the 2023 edition. The idea was confirmed to Cycling Weekly by race director Marion Rousse, who said they will be meeting stake holders to discuss the issue and others arising from this year’s race.
“It is true we asked ourselves whether it’s better to have seven instead of six riders, but we don’t know the answer yet,” Rousse told us, adding that meetings will take place in the aftermath of this year’s event.
The move is among a number of changes being considered by organisers, ASO for the race’s second edition next year.
In an earlier press call held entirely in French, Rousse, a former national road champion, was asked whether there would be extra days in the 2023 race and whether a time trial would be included.
“Maybe, maybe,” she replied when asked about a race against the clock. “This year there was no time trial because we were concerned with the public interest, a time trial attracts less crowd and this year we wanted a course that was attractive to the crowd, but that doesn’t prevent us from doing that in the coming years.”
On increasing the number of stages from eight she said; “You don’t make that decision alone, you should consult with the teams, and at the moment everybody is happy with eight days. Even though women’s cycling is evolving the economic model is still fragile and teams aren’t that big either.”
The 2022 race was won on Sunday by Annemiek van Vleuten leading a six woman Movistar squad. In recent years that number has become the accepted number of riders in women’s teams though UCI Regulations allow organisers to decide, proving they do not exceed minimum or max numbers of between four and seven per squad.
Until the 2017 event the Giro Donne permitted seven rider squads, though that has been reduced to six in subsequent editions.
“Maybe it’s better to have seven riders so teams can control the race better,” Rousse continued. “We will work closely with the teams, we want their opinion. In women’s cycling we have come far, it’s important to take the good decisions at the right moment.”
DSM arrived in France with ambitions for both sprints and the GC, and had to balance both with just four support riders and more riders would help target both classifications.
“I would encourage it,” said team manager Albert Timmer. “For this year’s Tour we have six girls with one GC leader and one leader for the sprints, a lot of the girls are really versatile, they can do a lot of things, but one extra can really make a difference in the way you plan your tactics and in case somebody has to leave the race.”
But with a such a busy Women’s WorldTour calendar already set for 2023, more women in one race puts pressure on squads for other events.
“When I see the WorldTour calendar for next year it’s crazy it keeps on growing and teams are not ready, you can see a lot of races teams are starting with four.”
Surely then the simple answer then is to increase the maximum size of WorldTeams from 16 to 20
“The majority of teams don’t have the budget to fill a roster with 20 riders,” said Ronny Lauke, Canyon-SRAM’s manager. “If you have 20 you have a significantly bigger race programme so you need more staff you have to have bigger infrastructure, I don’t see many teams being able to fulfil these obligations at the moment. We certainly cannot do it.”
There’s another issue. While developments in the women’s sport are beginning to attract more talented riders, there is still insufficient quality ready to compete at the highest level.
“Not yet, but it will come,” said Timmer.
Thank you for reading 20 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
Owen Rogers is an experienced journalist, covering professional cycling and specialising in women's road racing. He has followed races such as the Women's Tour and Giro d'Italia Donne, live-tweeting from Women's WorldTour events as well as providing race reports, interviews, analysis and news stories. He has also worked for race teams, to provide post race reports and communications.
-
Build it and they will come: the rise of Zwift
We tracked down the virtual riding platform's top brass to find out how it all began, and where it's going
By James Shrubsall Published
-
'Absorb the world around you and let your mind wander' - you may find that it's more addictive than data
Leaving the bike computer at home when heading out for a ride could help reboot your cycling
By Hannah Bussey Published
-
'First I focus on the Classics': Lotte Kopecky unsure of Tour de France Femmes participation in Olympic year
Belgian aiming to peak in April with Paris-Roubaix a potential target
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Opinion: Is the 2024 Tour de France too hard?
With so much packed into the route, is it too rich a meal?
By Adam Becket Published
-
Demi Vollering and Jonas Vingegaard crowned as best riders in the world for 2023 at Vélo d'Or awards
Mathieu van der Poel and Lotte Kopecky named as best Classics riders at French awards ceremony
By Adam Becket Published
-
How to watch Giro di Lombardia: Live stream the 2023 edition
A Giro di Lombardia live stream is the best way to keep up with this year's race. Here's how to watch in 2023.
By Cycling Weekly Published
-
Opinion: There will never be another bike rider like Annemiek van Vleuten
The flying Dutchwoman could almost win it all, but now her era has almost ended, she should be remembered as the greatest
By Adam Becket Published
-
'I still can't believe it' - Demi Vollering wins Tour de France Femmes 2023
SD Worx rider seals yellow jersey with three-minute gap, as team-mate Marlen Reusser triumphs on stage eight
By Tom Davidson Published
-
'She was better' - Annemiek van Vleuten tips hat to Demi Vollering on Tour de France Femmes raid
Reigning champion concedes defeat to compatriot on Col du Tourmalet
By Tom Davidson Published
-
‘I don’t know how I do it’ - Demi Vollering stunned after Tourmalet victory at Tour de France Femmes
Dutchwoman lays waste to GC rivals on stage seven and takes the yellow jersey
By Tom Davidson Published