In their mission to bring about equality in women’s pro cycling, the Women’s Cycling Association (WCA) is joining forces with Le Tour Entier in their movement to add a Women’s Tour de France. WCA President, Robin Farina said, “Creating a Women’s Tour de France is a key step in elevating women’s professional cycling. As excitement and interest continues to build at an amazing rate in women’s professional cycling, competing on this global stage in one of the sport’s most prestigious races is crucial to the growth of women’s cycling competitions and a movement the Women’s Cycling Association strongly supports.”
Le Tour Entier, a campaign to improve women’s cycling, starting with the Tour de France, was started by World Class athletes including four-time World Ironman Champion, Chrissie Wellington, Marianne Vos – the most decorated female cyclist in history, Olympic Silver Medalist, Emma Pooley, and professional cyclist and journalist, Kathryn Bertine. The group began with a petition this past July, 2013, pushing the Tour de France to include a women’s race in 2014. The women have increased the pressure with the launch of a website, www.letourentire.com , their manifesto, and a social media campaign on twitter #TDF4women.
With the support and power behind the two entities, the WCA and Le Tour Entire are determined to bring about an uprising of change in women’s pro cycling that starts with equality.
The WCA launched August, 2013 with a mission is to develop, maintain, and support a network of women cyclists and supporters of women’s cycling. The vision of the WCA is for professional women cyclists to have a career path with recognition, fiscal security, and advancement opportunities, to support women cyclists of all ability levels, and to showcase grassroots programs in order to develop young and new riders.
Photos courtesy Lyne Lamoureux, lynelamoureux.com and corvospro.com