For the first timethe Women’s Tour de France will start in a foreign country this Monday, August 12. The race management has chosen a start from Rotterdam in the Netherlands. A country where the riders will stay for the first three stages. Then they head to Belgium, then the Vosges and the Jura. The third edition of the Women’s Tour de France ended in style with Alpe D’Huez on Sunday, August 18. In 2023, it was the Dutchwoman Demi Vollering who won the race.
A new edition with 154 runners divided into 22 teamsAmong the French cyclists, there are seven Breton women and one Norman woman.
The nugget Cédrine Kerbaol and the latest from Audrey Cordon-Ragot
Brittany will once again be well represented in the peloton this year. Among the hopefuls of this edition, we can cite Brestoise Cédrine Kerbaol (Ceratizit-WNT), who will try to take a new step in the race, after her 12th place in the general classification in 2023 and the white jersey of best young rider. Another cyclist to follow again this year, the Morbihannaise, originally from Pontivy, Audrey Cordon-Ragot (Human Powered Health). At 34, the 2023 European time trial champion will be taking part in her last Tour de France Femmes. She announced end his professional career at the end of the year. And why not a stage victory as a farewell?
Breton Cédrine Kerbaol during the French road cycling championship in Manche in 2024. © Maxppp
Coralie Demayanother Morbihannaise, will be at the start of her third Tour de France with the FDJ Suez team. This will also be the third participation of the Bretillienne, originally from Vitré, Amandine Fouquenet (Arkéa-B&B Hotels). In the same team, Maëva Squibanoriginally from Brest, is back for a second participation. She had abandoned the race in 2022, following a fracture of the sacrum.
Finally, La Malouine Celia Le Mouël will participate in her second Tour de France Femmes (Saint Michel-Mavic-Auber 93). She will be in her team alongside the youngest French professional cyclist. At 18, the Costarmoricaine Elyne Roussel lines up for the first time in the race.
Breton Maeva Squiban on the Tour de Normandie 2024. © Maxppp
Marion Bunel the only Norman at the start
Another first on this Women’s Tour de France is that of Marion Bunel (Saint-Michel-Mavic-Auber 93). The 19-year-old, born in Bernay in Eure and licensed since 2018 at VC Lisieux in Calvados, was still an amateur cyclist last year. Her first professional contract dates from January 1st with her Vendée team. The Norman has been eight times Normandy road champion, on the track and in cyclo-cross. After promising results since the beginning of the year in several races, she will not be in front of her TV this year, but of course a bike in front of the cameras.
Normandy Marion Bunel on the Tour de Normandie 2024. © Maxppp
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Tour de France Femmes 2024: four French teams at the start, discover the 22 selected teams
