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Advancing Women's Cycling |
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July 21st 2013 |
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Much has been said regarding the
petition for a Women's Tour de France. Some support it, some
don't and there are a lot of people sitting in the middle not
sure. While I will briefly touch on my thoughts of the
petition my main aim here is not to complain but to present
some ideas of what I think is a more realistic path. And for
the record I love following women's cycling. I wish there was
more of it and I wish it was broadcast live. I am not sticking
my head in the sand or trying to come up with a way to take away
from the petition.
While I think the petition is a noble idea in my view there is
one or two problems with it. And saying that does not make you
anti women's cycling as many have tried to portray people.
Saying that makes you a realist. Saying that makes you want a
solution that is feasible and can be progressed.
Two points I will make about the petition:
1 "at the same time, over the same distances"
A lot has already been said regarding UCI regulations
preventing this so there is no need for me to add a lot more.
Does the rule need to be altered? Perhaps but as it stands it
is clear. I don't claim to have any expertise in sport science
or any related field. But going from racing events of closer
to 100km throughout the year to one race that has stages over
200km surely presents physical challenges. I am not saying
women are not capable but something that must be remembered is
that currently many riders are not full time professionals, so
the big jump in race distances would be challenging for some.
That may change in the future but for the moment it remains an
issue.
Lets take Fleche Wallonne as an example. It is a race
organised by ASO (Tour de France organiser) and has both a
men's and women's race. The women raced 131.5km and the men
205km in 2013. I don't see anyone arguing about the distance
of the women's race.
2 "Women should be on the starting line of
the 101st Tour de France in 2014."
The request that a women's edition be held within 12 months is
maybe not as realistic as it sounds. Granted the
infrastructure and management of the race already exists but
to organise it within one year seems a stretch. This is short
notice for both the organiser and teams. Even this year at
least one of the larger teams was struggling to come up with
the funds to be able to race the Giro Rosa. But suddenly teams
operating on tight budgets are expected to be prepared for a
three week race within a year.
Rushing in to something because people want it without proper
preparation could just make the current situation worse. If
any aspect were to fail it would only give more ammunition to
those who don't support advancing women's cycling.
The general concept of the petition is one I support but I
feel there is much to do before it happens.
What I would like to see
The only women's grand tour is the Giro Rosa. The men have
three the Tours of France, Italy and Spain. But who says the
women have to have the same three? Why not take existing
women's events and develop them? With the current situation in
women's cycling having a women's Tour de France should be seen
as the ultimate goal. However there are steps needed before
that can happen.
- The Giro Rosa should be used as a building
block.
The prize money was low and there was no live TV
coverage but lets look at what was good about the race. At
eight days it was the equal longest on the calendar, lots of
fans watched and it was well organised with long highlights
packages on Italian TV.
Where it was let down was the timing of the race. At the same
time as the Tour in another country presents challenges. What
if the race was to be moved to run at the same time as the
Giro d'Italia (either the first or last week of the race)?
This would allow for synergies between the two. Ideally it
would allow for at least the final part of the stage to be
live on TV. As well as allowing parts of the race route to be
used in both races. Using an existing race to demonstrate it
can be achieved is an important building block.
- Expanding existing races.
There are a
number of existing races that are well supported on the
calendar. Specifically I am referring to the Energiewacht Tour
(5 days in the Netherlands) and Internationale Thuringen
Rundfahrt der Frauen (7 days in Germany). These names may not
stand out like the Giro d'Italia, Tour de France or Vuelta a Espana does, but
that could be changed with work and development.
At five and seven days the races are not long (although they
are for the women's calendar). The next step should be to add
an additional stage in 2014. Then 2015 add another, to prove
their viability. Sponsorship of both teams and races is vital
to progress. Proving smaller races can be expanded will go a
long way to proving the viability of a women's Tour de France
- La Route de France
The name even sounds similar to the
Tour de France doesn't it? For those not familiar with the
race, the 2013 edition will be run over eight days. Down
slightly from nine (including a prologue) last year but more
than the 2010 edition. Starting on the third of August around
two weeks after the Tour de France finishes.
Instead of starting the race two weeks after the Tour when a
lot of the excitement has gone by, aim to run the first two or
three stages in the final days of the Tour. With the remaining
stages following after the Tour de France finishes. It might not be a full race
at the same time as the men but it is a further step to build
on.
Australian Road Champion Gracie Elvin wrote in a blog this
past week "Dream big yes, but start small." Those words are
vitally important.
Other things to read:
Gracie Elvin's Blog
Kate Bates' Blog |
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