Women’s Tour de France: Director relishes chance for girls to ‘identify with champions’

She is part of a "lost generation" of cyclists who never had a chance to race in a women’s Tour de France, an event that ceased operating in 1989. Now the director of the first professional version of the women’s Tour de France, Marion Rousse, 30, told FRANCE 24 she feels "pride" in the role. 

The northern France native, who has a son with her partner, French cyclist Julien Alaphilippe, aims to make the Women’s Tour a perennial event, and a profitable one in partnership with online cycling platform Zwift. Rousse hopes above all that this year’s race, set to take place from July 24 to 31, inspires fans to become professional riders.  

Rousse spoke to FRANCE 24 during the French road cycling championships on June 25. 

FRANCE 24: What does being director of the women's Tour de France mean to you? 

Marion Rousse: Being director of the Tour represents many things. There is a lot of pride. When I was offered the job, I saw myself at the age of six, starting to ride a bike ... I remembered how far I had come. For someone who has never been able to participate in the Tour de France, I am delighted to have a role in this spectacular event. 

FRANCE 24: This women’s Tour de France lasts only one week, compared to three for the men’s Tour. How do you explain this difference? 

Rousse: From an athletic point of view, the women would be able to last three weeks. The Giro Tour (the women’s Tour of Italy) is a little longer than the Tour de France and already has 10 stages. However, we have to compare what is comparable, and this is not the case when we measure ourselves against what is done on the men’s side. 

There are about 30 riders on the men’s teams, so they can afford to send groups to several races (that could be scheduled