Women's Tour de France 2025: A New Milestone in Brittany
The women's Tour de France will launch from Brittany on July 26, 2025, featuring an expanded format of nine stages, signaling the event's growth in tandem with the evolution of women's cycling. This announcement was made by director Marion Rousse, highlighting the eagerness of Brittany to host a major starting point. In an interview, Rousse expressed her delight over the choice, citing Brittany's rich cycling heritage and picturesque landscapes.
The forthcoming edition, the fourth of its kind, will commence in Vannes and head towards Plumelec. This first stage spans 95 km and includes a 14 km circuit that participants will navigate three times. Rousse predicts a challenging start that could already create gaps in the general classification from the get-go. The subsequent stage will venture from Brest to Quimper, covering 130 km with another loop in Quimper, echoing past notable cycling events.
A Growing Competition with a Nine-Stage Format
Unlike previous editions, the 2025 event will feature nine stages instead of eight, a clear indicator of the rising prominence of women's cycling. 'This is a strong message of growth and confidence in the sport,' Rousse remarked. The women’s Tour de France experienced a revival in 2022 after years of hiatus due to funding issues. Its immediate success paved the way for ongoing expansion, with Rousse cautious yet optimistic about further extending the race duration in the future.
The third stage will begin in Gacilly, the hometown of beauty mogul Yves Rocher, and proceed to an undisclosed location, balancing tradition with modernity. The inclusion of esteemed Breton routes and historical references, such as the Cadoudal hill and Stang Bihan, underscores Brittany's cycling legacy and its readiness to welcome elite women cyclists.
Overall, the 2025 Women's Tour de France not only represents a sporting event but also a celebration of the advancements in women's sports, exemplifying progress, resilience, and the continuous evolution of women's cycling.
- Christian Prudhomme, the boss of the Tour, recalled the success of the 'Plan B like Happiness' slogan when Brittany stepped up to replace Copenhagen as the starting point for the 2021 Tour. This flexibility and commitment from the region have once again been evident in their preparations for the 2025 women's Tour.
- Marion Rousse emphasized that starting the Tour from Brittany, with its challenging terrains and enthusiastic cycling community, offers a beneficial contrast to the flat landscapes of Rotterdam, thus providing an ideal set up for punchers early in the race.
- The women's Tour de France continues to build on Brtony's rich cycling history, adding new chapters while paying homage to historic moments, such as Bernard Hinault and Alejandro Valverde's victories at the Cadoudal hill and Peter Sagan's triumph at Stang Bihan.
