Former rider and current a consultant for France Télévisions Marion Rousse has been appointed race director of the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift. Rousse, who retired from professional cycling in 2015 has maintained involvement in cycling and acted as since 2019 as deputy director of the Tour de la Provence. Organised by the ASO, the women’s Tour de France will return from 25 to 31 July after previous edition of the race came to a halt in 2009.
She said about her appointment: “When I was a little girl, I watched the Tour de France on television with admiration, and when I started my career, I suspected that I would never have the opportunity to race in it. So, of course, I was very proud to be asked to take charge of the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift, especially because we want to do our utmost to make it a dream for little girls to participate. Women’s cycling has come a long way in recent years, partly thanks to A.S.O., but it still lacked a reference stage race with real media coverage. Now that I have accepted this mission, I intend to invest myself so that it becomes a ritual among the public… and for a long time because this is not about launching a race for two or three editions.”
Christian Prudhomme, Director of the Tour de France commented: “If the event is to become the premier race for women’s cycling, it was obvious to call on the best ambassador of this sport, known and appreciated by the general public as well as the experts. And her immediate enthusiasm to join us confirms the momentum behind the creation of the event.”
On Thursday, the eight stages of the inaugural edition of the Tour de France Femmes will be presented at the Palais des Congrès in Paris.
