2023 Tour de France Femmes Race Preview
The details of this year's 2023 Tour de France Femmes are falling into place. Find the latest route profiles and maps below, followed by our strategic preview of the race.
The second edition of the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift is set to capture the imagination of cycling fans around the world as the peloton's finest stage racers descend on France for eight days of intense competition. Following the stunning success of the inaugural 2022 race, which saw Annemiek van Vleuten dominate proceedings with a commanding overall victory, expectations are sky high for what promises to be another spectacular showcase for women's cycling.
The race begins in Clermont-Ferrand on July 23rd and will once again conclude with a brutal mountain finish, this time atop the legendary La Super Planche des Belles Filles, the same summit that closed out last year's race. The route takes riders through the heart of France, featuring a mixture of punchy uphill finishes and longer mountain stages that will test the full range of abilities across the peloton.
Van Vleuten enters as the obvious favorite following her dominant performance twelve months ago, but the Dutch climber and defending champion will face stiff opposition from a number of strong rivals. Demi Vollering of SD Worx has been in superb form throughout the season and will be hungry to challenge for the overall title, while Katarzyna Niewiadoma brings her characteristic tenacity and climbing ability to what could be another decisive race in her career.
The SD Worx team arrives in formidable shape and could pose a genuine threat through multiple leaders, adding a fascinating tactical dimension to proceedings. Jumbo-Visma will rally around van Vleuten with their customary discipline and strength, making them difficult to crack in the mountains.
Keep an eye on the young talents hoping to announce themselves on the biggest stage, and watch closely when the road rises sharply in the final days, because that is almost certainly where this race will be won and lost.
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