The Tour de France Femmes starts today Monday, August 12, this time on Dutch soil. Team Visma | Lease a Bike is taking to start line of its third Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift. The 2024 edition promises to be special in many ways for the squad. Team leader Riejanne Markus, Olympic silver medalist Marianne Vos, and sports director Jan Boven gave their thoughts ahead of the start.
For a moment, Rotterdam will become the epicentre of the cycling world. Dordrecht, Rotterdam and Valkenburg will also host stage starts. On the second day, there will be the challenge of two stages. Initially, the peloton will ride a short and flat 67-kilometre stage, followed by a time trial of approximately 6 kilometres.
“The preparation is going quite well,” said Markus. “I’ve been able to train well and then had a good race in Poland. After that, I was able to fine-tune things during a new training block. The approach to the Tour de France Femmes is more intense this year than ever before, in my opinion. Initially, this intensity also came from the team. That is, of course, incredibly motivating.”
Markus is excited about the Tour stages beginning today on Dutch soil. “That is really super special. The Tour is starting abroad for the first time, and then also in the Netherlands. On the second day, we start in Dordrecht, my partner’s birthplace. I know the area, and the whole family will come to watch, along with many friends. It’s very cool that the race is so close to home for once, and it’s also the biggest race of the year. I hope it will be as much of an experience as in France, but I’m not worried about that,” said the 29-year-old.
Vos is also starting her third Tour. The start in her home country appeals to her as well. “Now that the start is in the Netherlands, it feels a bit different than usual. I’m very curious about the atmosphere in the Netherlands. Of course, it gives something extra to the Dutch riders and teams. The Tour is the biggest race there is, so you always do everything to appear in the best possible shape.”
“I’m going to try to go for a stage win again,” Vos added. “That applies to both the team and myself. There are certainly stages where we have marked opportunities as a team, but if chances arise anywhere, we will certainly go for it. The team goals are also important. I hope to support the team as best as possible in this Tour.”
Sports director Boven explained more about the team goals. “After a good classification in the Vuelta a España, we want to achieve that again in the Tour de France Femmes. Riejanne is our designated rider for this. Demi Vollering is the absolute top favourite for the overall victory, but as far as I’m concerned, there are many contenders for the places behind her. With Marianne, we want to compete for stage wins. Perhaps the green jersey will become a goal by itself. Additionally, Anna Henderson is in good shape, so she won’t be hiding either.”
“I’m aiming for a good overall classification,” Markus asserted. “I haven’t finished in the top ten in the Tour yet. I hope to achieve that this year. I’ve secretly circled the time trial on day two in red. It’s a very nice course that should suit me well. Additionally, the stages in the final weekend have caught my attention. In the first stages, we can aim for stage wins with, among others, Marianne. There are many opportunities for our team.”
The final stage of the Tour finishes on the infamous Alpe d’Huez. “The finish on Alpe d’Huez will be very special. I know that climb from TV. I’m looking forward to a very beautiful race. Hopefully, we can make it a successful and beautiful Tour as a team,” said Vos.
Markus recently rode up Alpe d’Huez for the first time. “That was with my sister during a training camp. It’s a beautiful mountain. I hope to secure a top ten overall classification for the first time in my life that day.”
The final word goes to Boven. “With such a magical start in the Netherlands, this Tour had to end in a mythical place. That is certainly the case with Alpe d’Huez. The start is in the Netherlands, and the finish on a Dutch mountain. This should give cycling in the Netherlands a boost again. We are more than motivated to make this an unforgettable edition for Team Visma | Lease a Bike.”
The Tour de France Femmes team selection of Team Visma | Lease a Bike Women consists of: Riejanne Markus, Marianne Vos, Anna Henderson, Fem van Empel, Femke de Vries, Sophie von Berswordt, and Linda Riedmann.
