No Women In Tour De France

[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 . . .

[malkin]

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

Alas, those two got old and now pitch for Advil and rental cars. No more drama.

Nastase was also quite a piece of work back in the day.

[Dog]

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