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The Race

1st edition - In the direction of history

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This is a new development, and it fits in perfectly with the times.

It means much more than just another race on the calendar: from the summer of 2023, the Tour de l’Avenir will have a women’s edition.

This is completely in line with history. This initiative, strongly supported by the International Cycling Union (UCI) and Amaury Sport Organisation (A.S.O), the organiser of the Tour de France, is a full endorsement of the fundamental movement that is currently taking place in world sport, and cycling in particular.

Women are rightly claiming their rightful place in major sporting events. Gone are the days when cycling was supposedly a “man’s sport”. Women now also have their own classics – Paris-Roubaix included – and the Tour de France Femmes, organised in the wake of the 2022 Tour, has been given a lasting boost.

The Tour de l’Avenir, created more than sixty years ago, is a fundamental building block in cycling. fundamental stone in the edifice of cycling. It forms an essential base for the pyramid that leads to the top. pyramid that leads to the top. At a time when the women’s Tour de France with Zwift has also become a must, there was no reason why the Tour de l’Avenir, which is totally in line with this, should not play the same role through its women’s version.

The new event will be run in an appropriate five-day format, following the Men’s Tour de l’Avenir, as is the case for the – or rather it should be said “the” – Tours de France. The formula will also be consistent. Like its male counterpart, the Women’s Tour de l’Avenir will be open to hopefuls under the age of 23, and will be both an encouragement for young female cyclists and a gateway to the highest level.
If the Tour de l’Avenir was a springboard for many of the “aces” of men’s world cycling, the GIMONDIs, ZOETEMELKs, INDURAINs and LEMONDs of the past, as well as the GAUDUs, BERNALs and POGACARs of today, there is no doubt that it will also be a springboard for the champions of tomorrow.

The Tour de l’Avenir is thus fully in its role, in a logical continuation. We know to what extent it is an essential contributor to the training of the world’s best hopefuls, a revelator of talent. And now in a double capacity!

Race poster
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Date StartFinish Type Distance Climbing Video Presented by
Stage 1
28 August pm
Monday 28 August pm
Saint-Vallier (4:00 pm)
Saint-Vallier
Individual TT
15 km
+181 m
Stage 2
29 August
Tuesday 29 August
Charolles (1:30 pm)
Louhans Chateaurenaud
Flat
91 km
+944 m
Stage 3
30 August
Wednesday 30 August
Saint-Didier-sur-Chalaronne (1:15 pm)
Val d’Epy
Lumpy
97 km
+1,223 m
Stage 4
31 August
Thursday 31 August
Challes-les-Eaux (1:30 pm)
Megève
Mountain
80 km
+1,941 m
Stage 5
1 September
Friday 1 September
Saint-Gervais Mont-Blanc (12:15 pm)
Sainte Foy Tarentaise
Mountain
98 km
+2,543 m

I'm very proud that the Region is partnering the first edition of the Tour de l'Avenir féminin. For several years now, we have been resolutely committed to promoting gender equality through sport, and we can only welcome and support the initiatives that are emerging along these lines.

The creation of the Tour de France for Women last year was an important step forward, and I believe it is essential that the Tour de l'Avenir, the Grand Boucle for young people, should also follow this path towards equality. The best young cyclists will have the opportunity to showcase their talent, particularly during the mountain stages, which are already shaping up to be rich in spectacle and suspense. We'll also have the pleasure and pride of supporting the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes regional team on the roads of the Tour de l'Avenir, and I'm sure they'll be flying our colours high.

More than just a sport, cycling conveys values that are dear to me: a sense of effort, self-sacrifice and surpassing oneself. This Tour de l'Avenir is a wonderful opportunity to promote these values, while at the same time showcasing the beauty of our region, with three stages linking our magnificent Beaujolais region with the Alpine passes.

I'd like to offer my warmest congratulations to the competitors and wish everyone a great race!

Laurent WAUQUIEZ
Président de la Région Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
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