Tour de France Femmes 2024: dates, stages, favorites, and how to watch

The Tour de France Femmes 2024 will once again be one of the most exciting events in women's cycling, and this year, the race will take place from August 12 to 18, with 8 stages that will test the best cyclists in the world over 949.7 kilometers. 

The Women's Tour gains prestige and in 2024 arrives loaded with favorites 

After winning in 2023 and finishing second in 2022, Dutch rider Demi Vollering is the top favorite to take the victory. This year, the SD Worx team rider has shown exceptional form, winning La Vuelta and claiming four stage victories.

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However, the competition will be fierce. Elisa Longo Borghini (Lidl-Trek), who has just won her first Giro d'Italia, and her teammate, climber Gaia Realini, are serious threats to Vollering. Also in the mix will be Katarzyna Niewiadoma (Canyon//SRAM), fresh off her victory in La Fleche Wallonne and with high morale after podium finishes in the previous two editions of the Tour. Niewiadoma will have the support of Neve Bradbury, third in the Giro, which strengthens her candidacy.

Other contenders to consider include French champion Juliette Labous (dsm-firmenich PostNL) and her compatriot Évita Muzic (FDJ-Suez), who will also be vying for a place on the podium. Additionally, Cédrine Kerbaol (Ceratizit-WNT), last year's white jersey wearer, aims to continue her progression in the elite women's cycling.

Despite featuring the best cyclists in the world, there will be two notable absences: Lotte Kopecky and Chiara Consonni, who have chosen to focus on track Olympic competitions. However, the peloton will be full of talent, including Olympic medalists like Grace Brown and Kristen Faulkner, as well as European champion Brischa Bredewold.

How many stages does the 2024 women's Tour have

Unlike the men's race, the women's Tour de France is not a three-week event, but rather takes place over a single week. It will include an 8-stage route covering 949.7 kilometers, taking cyclists from the Netherlands to France, passing through Belgium.

The Tour de France Femmes 2024 is designed to challenge cyclists on a variety of terrains, with stages ranging from flat sections for sprinters to challenging climbs in the Alps, finishing at the iconic Alpe d'Huez. 

The race begins with an exciting stage heading towards The Hague. In this first stage, sprinters will vie for the first yellow jersey, although the route also offers opportunities for breakaway riders looking to surprise from the start. This initial stage will be crucial in establishing the coveted first overall lead and wearing, even if only briefly, the yellow jersey that signifies the race leader. 

The second day of the Tour will be particularly demanding, with two stages in a single day. The first part of the day, a 67 km route, is designed, once again, for sprinters, while the second part of the stage is a 6.3 km individual time trial that will take place in the iconic city of Rotterdam, crossing the Erasmus Bridge and traversing the heart of the city. This day could be decisive for the contenders in the general classification, as the time trial will allow time differences to be established.

It will be interesting to see how the cyclists' legs respond after the morning stage, although they have the advantage of a flat route with no major climbs and not covering long distances. Additionally, attention must be paid to the weather conditions, as rain or wind could play a significant role. 

The fourth stage of this Tour de France pays tribute to the spring classics, with a route reminiscent of the Amstel Gold Race and Liege-Bastogne-Liege. Cyclists will face iconic climbs such as the Cauberg, the Côte de la Redoute, and the Côte de Roche-aux-Faucons, known for their toughness and for being the scene of epic battles in cycling history. This stage will be crucial for climbers and could redefine the general classification, creating larger gaps than in previous stages.

 With the last two days of competition, cyclists will face the toughest and most mountainous stages. The penultimate day of the Tour will take riders to a pure mountain stage in the Alps. With an accumulated altitude of 3,100 meters, cyclists will have to conquer the demanding climb to Chinaillon, a challenge that tests the endurance and strategy of cyclists and teams. Unlike the men, the women will finish this stage at the summit, adding an extra degree of difficulty and toughness. 

The final stage is a true test of endurance, with 150 km including almost 4,000 meters of positive elevation gain. Cyclists will face two of the most iconic climbs of the Tour: the Col du Glandon and the legendary ascent to Alpe d'Huez. The latter has been the scene of some of the most memorable moments in cycling history and the men's race. The ascent to Alpe d'Huez could be the decisive moment of the Tour, where the winner of the yellow jersey is determined.

These key stages will not only determine who takes the victory in the Tour de France Femmes 2024, but will also offer a spectacle of top-level cycling, challenging both the speed and endurance of the cyclists.?

How to watch and follow the Tour de France Femmes 2024

Eurosport will broadcast all stages of the cycling race on its Eurosport 1 channel, accessible on various pay platforms. The first six days will be broadcast in full on television.

If you prefer to watch the race online, the Max platform will allow you to follow the stages without commercial interruptions and you can also watch them on demand.