- The third Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift will take place from Monday, 12 to Sunday, 18 August 2024, between the Paris 2024 Olympic Games (closing ceremony on 11 August) and Paralympic Games.
- The Netherlands will host the first three of the eight stages that make up the 2024 edition, beginning with the Grand Départ in Rotterdam.
In synch with the exponential growth of women's cycling, the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift will reach a new milestone in 2024 with the organisation of the first Grand Départ on foreign soil. Following in the slipstream of Paris and Clermont-Ferrand, the Dutch city of Rotterdam will host the start of the third edition of the biggest women's bicycle race on Earth. The inaugural edition was already a tremendous ratings success, attaining an average audience share of almost 50% on the national channel NOS and keeping the Dutch glued to their seats as Annemiek van Vleuten rode her way to the title. The Grand Départ is a joint endeavour with The Hague and Dordrecht, which will roll out the red carpet for the finish of stage 1 and the start of stage 2, respectively. As in 2022 and 2023, the race will be shown live on France Télévisions and broadcast in 190 countries.
Ahmed Aboutaleb, Mayor of Rotterdam
"When Rotterdam hosted the 2010 Grand Départ, its inhabitants opened their hearts to the Tour de France. The images of the enthusiastic crowds on the Erasmus Bridge, our much-cherished Erasmusbrug, went around the world. We’re proud to welcome you back and to have the honour of celebrating this great cycling festival once again in 2024. Together with our neighbouring cities of The Hague and Dordrecht, we’ll do our utmost to ensure that the first three stages of the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift are an unforgettable success. We look forward to hosting this great event for all cycling fans!"
Marion Rousse, director of the race
"The world hub of women's cycling was a natural choice to host the biggest bicycle race on Earth", pointed out Marion Rousse, the director of the race. "The last few seasons have been a tale of Dutch ascendancy. Starting from the home of these champions will kindle a great popular celebration. Expect their supporters to turn out in force."
It didn’t take long for the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift to become a world-class event. The first two editions saw Annemiek van Vleuten (2022) and Demi Vollering (2023) crowned as champions, their successes offering a very Dutch flavour to this newly established and most eagerly awaited of stage races.
The Dutch cities of Rotterdam, The Hague and Dordrecht are therefore very proud to be the first foreign location to host the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift. We’ve got years of experience when it comes to organising emblematic international sporting events, including the Grand Départ of the 2010 Tour de France, which attracted hundreds of thousands of spectators and had a fantastic atmosphere.
Consequently, the teams competing in the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift can count on receiving a warm welcome in a well-organised setting where the enthusiasm of cycling fans will be guaranteed. In the Netherlands, the bike is king: it’s no coincidence that we’ve become the number one country for two-wheeled travel, with more bicycles than inhabitants. And the magic of the Tour will undoubtedly encourage even more people to get on their bikes.
Young girls and women are likely to be won over by the sight of top-class racers vying for the yellow jersey on home ground and right before their eyes. This spectacle could well inspire future Annemieks and Demis... What a prospect that is!
The first three stages will run through the Netherlands and the race will take place from Monday, 12 August to Sunday, 18 August 2024, between the Paris 2024 Olympic Games and Paralympic Games.
If it all adds up to eight stages in seven days, it is because there will be a double stage on Tuesday, 13 August, with an afternoon time trial through the streets of Rotterdam.
STAGE 1 | Rotterdam > La Haye | 12 August 2024 | 124 KM
The stage begins with a 40km loop that features two trips through a long and newly built tunnel beneath the waters of the River Scheur – the tunnel will be formally opened on this great occasion. The riders will then find themselves in flat and wind-exposed terrain, the route running between tulip fields and through urban areas. The last five kilometres, which are wide and free of significant difficulties, will lead to a final straight on an avenue that’s perfect for a bunch sprint.
STAGE 2 | Dordrecht > Rotterdam | 13 August 2024 | 69,7 KM
With two stages on the menu in a single day, the riders will be reviving a tradition abandoned by the Tour de France in 1991. The morning brings this short but intense road stage, which will be subject to the vagaries of the wind and constant changes of direction. For a probable sprint finish on Boompjes, a wide avenue lined with skyscrapers.
STAGE 3 | Rotterdam > Rotterdam | 14 August 2024 | 6,3 KM
Ce chrono court et intense devrait convenir à celles qui font parler leur puissance. Seuls les deux grands ponts, Érasme et Guillaume, proposeront un léger relief et, malgré quelques virages en angle droit, en passant devant l’hôtel de ville et le musée maritime, au long de grands boulevards, la vainqueure pourrait frôler les 50 km/h de moyenne.
