No Women In Tour De France

[indysteel]

Because it's a race for male professional cyclists? There's version of the TdF for women, too. I know that may not seem like much of an answer, but it's like a lot of professional sports. There are women's teams and men's teams and sanctioned events that are specific to each.

But I'm no Tour expert or even follower; perhaps someone has a more official sounding answer than that.

[Becky]

I can't think of a single pro sport where men and women compete against one another.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tour_d...e_F%C3%A9minin

[jessmarimba]

I can't think of a single pro sport where men and women compete against one another.

Not pro-only, and not competing against each other, but most major long-distance running races (marathon and longer) have men and women on the same course at the same time. So I can see where it might make sense for men and women to be in the same bike races together.

That's the only sport I can think of, though.

[Blueberry]

Not pro-only, and not competing against each other, but most major long-distance running races (marathon and longer) have men and women on the same course at the same time. So I can see where it might make sense for men and women to be in the same bike races together.

That's the only sport I can think of, though.

Triathlon also - some of the top women place in the middle of the men (or at least they did when Chrissie was racing....).

[Susan Otcenas]

Not pro-only, and not competing against each other, but most major long-distance running races (marathon and longer) have men and women on the same course at the same time.

Triathlon as well. Males and females compete at the same distances at the same time on the same course. It's one of the reasons I love triathlon. There's no "dumbing down" the distances for the women.

Many ultra-cycling events are the same. Males and females ride the same course, same distance. This is true in competitive events like RAAM and Furnace Creek 508, as well as non-competitive events like randonneuring (Paris-Brest-Paris), etc. That does mean, though, that women participate in much smaller numbers. At PBP last year, there were 5000 starters, just 300 of which were women. 4000 people finished, including just 200 women.

I happen to believe that women are very well suited to endurance events. We may not have the same power as men (and therefore don't keep up when the hammer gets put down), but we can ride or run very consistently for long periods of time. I've done any number of rando rides where I (voluntarily) get shelled off the back in the first 30 miles, only to see many of the same men again 100 miles down the road, gooses cooked.

Thus, I think women could actually survive a race as long as the TdF, but not at the same speeds. And it's the speed, sprints and crashes that get viewers all riled up and excited. Without the same level of excitement, sponsors are not interested. Which is one of the reasons women's pro racing suffers so much. Not enough drama.

[SadieKate]

Not enough drama.

If you want drama, watch women's tennis.

[malkin]

If you want drama, watch women's tennis.

Or men's tennis.

[SadieKate]

I think there's less. Maybe it's just my reaction to all the shrieks and grunting. Not to mention, the women barely even make eye contact when they shake hands at the end of a match. It's pretty well known that they hardly talk to each other in the locker room. Some cry on court during the match.

The men frequently clasp hands much more warmly, give each other hugs or pats and talk to each other. There is constant discussion about who is best friends with whom. The concept of "sportsmanship" is more apparent, sometimes even helping each other not waste line challenges.

Maybe back in the Connor/McEnroe era, the men won in the drama department but not now.

OK, there is Murray and his constant aches and pains . . .

[Dog]

Totally impressed by the six ladies riding the tour (REVE). Pretty awesome and fun to follow.

[indysteel]

I can't think of a single pro sport where men and women compete against one another.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tour_d...e_F%C3%A9minin

There are women in both Indy car and Nascar who compete against men. And there are a few other sports like dressage where women and men compete against one another. But it's not the norm for sure.

[lovelygamer]

Yep, they already answered it. It's a men's race because women just can't compete at the level the men can, mostly a strength and fitness issue. Sponsors want to sponsor winners and sponsors are what it's all about. Some say, if the race was longer...women would win. That's when their real advantages and strengths come into play.

They have a few women's races like it. Here is a small non competitive one that is running this year at the same time: http://www.reve.cc/

[kamikazejane]

They have a few women's races like it. Here is a small non competitive one that is running this year at the same time: http://www.reve.cc/

That's awesome. Mucho Kuddos to them.

[gnat23]

They have a few women's races like it. Here is a small non competitive one that is running this year at the same time: http://www.reve.cc/

I've been watching my friend Heidi get ready for this, all the training, panic, and adrenaline that has come with it. She's been writing for Peloton magazine the whole time, which is a new kind of hell: Ride 130 km, THEN be eloquent in prose? Wow.

http://www.pelotonmagazine.com/Wisdo.../Swift-Stage-4

It's not a race, but the women are riding the whole stage the day prior to the men. The miles and emotions are very much real and her stories and tweets have been putting the TdF in quite a different perspective for me.

-- gnat! (GO HEIDI GO!)

[jobob]

She's been writing for Peloton magazine the whole time, which is a new kind of hell: Ride 130 km, THEN be eloquent in prose? Wow.

Wow indeed. That's a fascinating read, thanks pll and gnat!

[lovelygamer]

I've been watching my friend Heidi get ready for this, all the training, panic, and adrenaline that has come with it. She's been writing for Peloton magazine the whole time, which is a new kind of hell: Ride 130 km, THEN be eloquent in prose? Wow.

http://www.pelotonmagazine.com/Wisdo.../Swift-Stage-4

It's not a race, but the women are riding the whole stage the day prior to the men. The miles and emotions are very much real and her stories and tweets have been putting the TdF in quite a different perspective for me.

-- gnat! (GO HEIDI GO!)

That is awesome! GO Heidi is right. The ladies came up on my radar because I am in the National Bike Challenge and Kate Powlison came up on the top of our leader board a week or so ago. Those girls are amazing. I am going to look at your link later. Thanks!!

PS. Have you girls been following Larissa on the Big Ride? Her facebook posts and pictures have been great. What a great life experience she is having.