Frequently asked questions about Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift

The Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift is the ultimate test in professional women's multi-stage cycling race that has become the most anticipated event of the year. While its heart is in France, the race is already expanding its borders, with the 2026 edition set to take place in both France and Switzerland. Since its modern return in 2022, it has put women’s pro cycling back on the world’s biggest stage, shining a spotlight on the incredible strength, strategy, and grit of its riders.

Women's editions of the Tour have a rich history, dating back to the first version in 1955, the women's Tour de France stage race held between 1984 and 1989, and culminating in the modern Tour de France Femmes.¹ It provides a massive platform for elite competition and is inspiring a whole new generation of fans and athletes in women's professional cycling.

The history of women’s racing at the Tour de France is marked by several key eras that trace its evolution:

• 1955: Starting in 1955, various cycling races for women have been held similar to the Tour de France for men, using different names (for example, Tour de France Féminin and Grande Boucle Féminine Internationale) and to a shorter length, unlike the three-weeks races for the men.
• 1984-2009: Between 1984 and 2009, a women's Tour de France was staged consistently, using the Tour de France Féminin name from 1984 to 1989.
• 2014-2021: "La Course by Le Tour de France" served as a high-profile, one-day women's cycling competition held alongside the men's Tour, keeping the spirit of competition alive.²
• 2022-present: The current Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift format was launched, successfully restoring a full multi-stage race to the international calendar.³

The 2026 Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift will be held between 1-9 August 2026. The race will take place in two countries: Switzerland and France, with its Grand Départ in Lausanne, Switzerland, marking a historic first for this major women's cycling competition. The race will conclude in Nice, with the iconic Mont Ventoux featuring among the mountain challenges that await the peloton.⁴

If you're asking how many stages in the Tour de France Femmes there will be in 2026, the answer is 9 exciting stages. The route is carefully designed to test the diverse skills within the peloton, ensuring a dynamic and unpredictable race. The breakdown of these 9 stages includes:

• 3 flat stages, suited for sprinters
• 3 hilly stages, for punchy riders and breakaway specialists
• 2 mountain stages, for climbers and General Classification contenders
• 1 individual time trial

The 2026 Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift will cover a demanding total distance of 1,175 kilometres. The route features a record-breaking total vertical gain of 18,795 metres, solidifying its status as a true test of endurance in women's road cycling.

The route will take riders through three mountain ranges: the Jura, Massif Central, and the Alps. After entering France on Stage 3, the race will cross 12 departments within 3 regions.

The longest stage of the 2026 edition is Stage 8, covering 175 kilometres between Sisteron and Nice.

The race will also feature the toughest climbing challenge on Stage 7, which finishes atop Mont Ventoux at 1,910 metres above sea level. The climb measures 15.7 km with 1,354 meters of elevation gain.

The 2026 Tour de France Femmes will feature 154 riders on the start line, split between 22 teams of 7 riders each.

Fans can expect to see the world's top women's professional cycling teams, including established WorldTour squads and wildcard invitees who have earned their place through strong performances throughout the season.

While an individual rider wins the cycling race, professional cycling is fundamentally a team sport built on complex team strategy. Each team designates a lead rider who aims for the overall victory or stage wins. The other riders, known as domestiques⁵, have crucial support roles. Their team tactics involve protecting the leader from the wind by letting them draft within the peloton, chasing down a breakaway, or forming a lead-out train to position their sprinter perfectly for a final dash to the finish line. Understanding these race dynamics is key to a team's success in any cycling competition.

The Tour de France Femmes shares the same spirit of elite competition as the men's race, but it is intentionally more compact, featuring 9 stages compared to the men's 21 to ensure explosive, non-stop action. Although the total distance of around 1,175 kilometres is shorter, the stages are just as tactically demanding. What truly ties the two events together are the iconic traditions, as the women's cycling race features the same battle for the classic jerseys: the coveted Yellow, Green, Polka Dot, and White.

The women's race is shorter for several reasons:

• Gradual growth: The modern event only relaunched in 2022, and organisers are deliberately growing it incrementally to ensure sustainability.
• Scheduling: The race takes place immediately after the men's Tour finishes, using some of the same infrastructure and organisation.
• Historical context: Women's professional cycling is still building its commercial and broadcast foundations.
• Strategic racing: Organisers have chosen to prioritise intense, action-packed racing over simply matching the men's distance.

UCI (Union Cycliste Internationale) regulations separate men's and women's professional cycling competitions. This is consistent with most professional sports. Rather than integrating the events, the solution has been to create an equally prestigious women's equivalent: the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift.⁶

• 2022: Annemiek van Vleuten won the inaugural modern edition in dramatic fashion, overcoming a significant time deficit on the final stage to claim victory.
• 2023: Demi Vollering dominated the cycling race, winning by a comfortable margin and establishing herself as the top stage racer in women's cycling.7
• 2024: Polish rider Katarzyna Niewiadoma claimed victory, making her a household name and dramatically increasing Polish interest in the event.
• 2025: Pauline Ferrand-Prévot of France won, generating enormous excitement in her home country. Other notable 2025 results included Lorena Wiebes (Netherlands) winning the Green Jersey points classification and Elise Chabbey claiming the Polka Dot mountains jersey.

Wondering who to keep an eye on for the 2026 Tour de France Femmes? While official start lists are a long way off, the cycling world is already buzzing about a few key names. Based on past performances and incredible consistency, you can expect a thrilling battle between previous champions and formidable challengers for this elite cycling competition.

It’s no surprise that you’ll hear Demi Vollering’s name mentioned as a major favourite. You might remember her from her dominant victory in the 2023 cycling race, where she won by a comfortable margin. The Dutch rider is known for her exceptional climbing ability and has firmly established herself as one of the top stage racers to beat.

All eyes will be on France’s own Pauline Ferrand-Prévot. After she won the 2025 edition and created a huge wave of excitement in her home country, she’ll be a central figure in the 2026 race. A major storyline will be whether she can defend her title, especially with the cycling race finishing on home soil in France.

You can be sure that Polish fans will be passionately cheering for their hero, Katarzyna Niewiadoma. Her victory in the 2024 cycling competition made her a household name and sparked a huge surge of interest in the event in Poland. Many will be eagerly watching to see if she can recapture the incredible form that brought her that stunning victory.

The total prize purse for the 2026 Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift is €250,000. While this represents significant investment in women's professional cycling, it remains considerably lower than the men's Tour de France prize pool (approximately €2.3 million), though the gap is closing as the event grows in stature.

You’ve probably noticed the "avec Zwift" in the race's official title, and it’s there for a crucial reason. Zwift, the popular indoor cycling platform many of us use, is the title sponsor that played a pivotal role in bringing the Tour de France Femmes back to life.

Their partnership with race organizer A.S.O. provided the significant investment needed for the 2022 rebirth of a full multi-stage race dedicated to women. This support has been a gamechanger, helping to elevate the event's profile and production quality to a world-class standard. Zwift has extended its commitment through 2029, ensuring the race continues to grow and thrive on the international calendar.

Ready to catch all the thrilling action? If you're looking for where to watch the Tour de France Femmes, you're in luck. This exciting cycling competition is broadcast widely across Europe, and below you will find the list of the right TV channels and streaming services for your location.

You can watch the race on TNT Sports channels. For streaming, you can use Discovery+ if you have access to TNT Sports.

Watching the Tour in July? You can beat the stuffy rooms, uncomfortable temperatures, and screen glare with a few simple tips on fresh air, daylight control, and more.

As an official partner, VELUX is proud to be part of the story of Tour de France and Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift, a partnership built on a foundation of shared values.

Daylight and fresh air are at the very heart of what we do. Our name itself reflects this focus: “VE” for ventilation and “LUX” for light. Every day, we strive to bring these essential elements into homes and buildings, creating better indoor climates that connect people with nature.

Professional cycling provides the perfect platform to share this promise. It’s an outdoor sport that celebrates health and well-being, values that align perfectly with our own. The partnership allows us to connect with customers and cycling fans across the world.

During the race, you'll see the VELUX brand displayed on the bibs of every rider in the Tour de France, the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift, and the L’Étape du Tour. Furthermore, we are proud to be associated with the famous Lanterne Rouge, the final rider in the General Classification. Our support for this rider celebrates the spirit of endurance and perseverance that defines the entire race, reflecting our inclusive brand values and our focus on community.

We are excited to bring the VELUX experience directly to the millions of fans lining the roads.

You can find us in the Advertising Caravan parade that precedes the riders each day. Our uniquely designed vehicles will offer a fun, sensory demonstration of our heat protection products, making us 'the coolest spot on the Tour' during the warm July temperatures. Experience the energy and excitement as our caravan rolls by in a celebration on wheels for everyone to enjoy. Be sure to catch one of our exclusive VELUX bucket hats - the perfect way to stay cool and shielded from the summer sun while you cheer on your favourite riders.

VELUX will also be present in Fan Parks. We invite you to visit our cosy, home-inspired setting. Enjoy interactive activities and experiences, all while relaxing and immersing yourself in the vibrant atmosphere of the race.