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The Best Road Cycling in the Pyrenees – Part 8
26th January 2023
Summer Cycling in the Pyrenees Special Offer
16th June 2024
Navigating Challenges and Anticipation in Women’s Cycling: The CIC-Tour Féminin International des Pyrénées
by Rachel McCombie - Allons-y-Pyrenees
The CIC-Tour Féminin International des Pyrénées showcases the breathtaking beauty and challenging terrain of the Pyrenees. However, the 2023 edition of the race brought with it a series of issues that sparked both controversy and reflection within the cycling community.
The CIC-Tour Féminin International des Pyrénées (now in its third year) showcases the breathtaking beauty and challenging terrain of the Pyrenees. However, the 2023 edition of the race brought with it a series of issues that sparked both controversy and reflection within the cycling community.
The race was abandoned due to a number of serious safety issues, prompting the question, why was this race not given the same level of organisation as, for example, the Route d’Occitanie - a men’s race in the same area. Let us consider for a moment then, why women’s cycling is still not taken as seriously as men’s.
The discrepancy in the level of seriousness and attention given to men's cycling compared to women's cycling can be attributed to several factors including historical precedence, media coverage, sponsorship and funding and cultural perceptions, but is this still an excuse for poor logistical planning and the dangerous situation that riders of the TFIP found themselves in last year?
The 2023 edition of the CIC-Tour Féminin International des Pyrénées encountered its share of hurdles, prompting introspection within the cycling community. Notably, cyclists voiced concerns over safety and logistical issues.Cyclists expressed apprehension about participating in certain stages and safety concerns, coupled with logistical limitations, prompted a collective stance from the riders, highlighting the importance of athlete welfare in competitive cycling.
To summarise, the 2nd edition of the CIC-Tour Féminin International des Pyrénées turned into a fiasco. Serious safety problems were noted, putting the riders in real danger, and the International Cycling Union (UCI) decided to stop the race before the final stage. The race organisers faced criticism and were prompted to reflect on how to address these concerns moving forward.
A lack of road closures saw cars on the course and on the wrong side of the road, pedestrians on the road, cyclists going into blind bends with traffic heading straight towards them… A high level of insecurity reigned during the first two stages, provoking legitimate anger among the cyclists. After the neutralisation of part of stage 2, the 3rd and final stage on the following day was simply cancelled by the International Cycling Union (UCI), which took a logical decision in view of the events, but only after several of the racers and teams had already withdrawn.
Historical Precedence: Men's cycling has a longer history and tradition compared to women's cycling. The sport has been dominated by men for much of its existence, resulting in established races, teams, and fan bases that have historically received more attention and investment.
Media Coverage: Men's cycling events often receive more extensive media coverage than women's events. Major races like the Tour de France and the Giro d'Italia garner significant attention from broadcasters, sponsors, and fans worldwide, while women's races receive less airtime and visibility.
Sponsorship and Funding: Men's cycling teams and events tend to attract larger sponsorships and financial investments compared to their women's counterparts. This disparity in funding can impact the overall professionalism, competitiveness, and exposure of women's cycling.
Cultural Perceptions: Cycling, like many other sports, has been traditionally associated with masculinity, leading to societal perceptions that men's cycling is more prestigious and deserving of attention. These cultural attitudes can influence the level of support and recognition given to women's cycling.
Structural Inequities: Women's cycling has historically faced structural barriers and inequalities in terms of race opportunities, prize money, and resources compared to men's cycling. While efforts have been made to address these disparities in recent years, they continue to impact the perception and development of women's cycling.
Audience Demand: There is a perception among broadcasters and sponsors that there is less demand for women's cycling among viewers and fans compared to men's cycling. As a result, broadcasters allocate fewer resources and prioritise men's events, perpetuating a cycle of unequal representation and visibility.
I’ve written previously about women in sport in an article for International Women’s Day but challenging the discrepancies in men's and women's cycling requires a continual effort to change cultural perceptions and to promote gender equality within the sport. Let’s hope the organisers of this year’s CIC-Tour Féminin International des Pyrénées have learnt from the mistakes of last year and that we can enjoy a race to celebrate women, cycling and the Pyrenees!
Join AYP on the 14 to 16 June 2024 to cheer on the 132 women cyclists in 22 international teams during the 3 stages of the race. The full programme is currently being finalised, but here’s what we know so far:
Stage 1: Goudon-Lourdes 125 km
Stage 2: Pierrefitte-Nestalas- Col d'Aubisque 95 km
Stage 3: Nay-Bosdarros 126 km
Stage 1: Goudon-Lourdes 125 km
Stage 2: Pierrefitte-Nestalas- Col d'Aubisque 95 km
Stage 3: Nay-Bosdarros 126 km
