“People have adopted us”: Marion Rousse confides in the Tour de France Women 2023

On the occasion of the J-100 of the Tour de France Women, the director of this major event in women’s cycling, Marion Rousse, returned to the success of last year. But also on this 2nd edition which will start on July 23 in Clermont-Ferrand.

It will take place from July 23 to 30, 2023. On the occasion of the D-100 of Tour de France Womenthe world of cycling was brought together this Friday, April 14, in order to highlight the course of this race, but above all, the development of women’s cycling as well as the popular side of this event open to all. During the previous edition of the Tour de France Women, the French showed real enthusiasm when the riders passed through the roads of France. What did not escape Marion Rousse, director of this event: “It’s true that this first edition of the Tour de France Women was a real success. I don’t think anyone will be able to say otherwise today. There were all the ingredients together who make the beauty of the Tour de France”, she explains. And to continue: “It’s really the fourth week of a soap opera in July. There was the sporting side where the women enjoyed themselves on each stage. There was the public, present in droves on the side of the roads, who played the game. There were also a lot of people behind their televisions. There were the landscapes which are an integral part of this magic of the Tour de France. Finally, we invited ourselves into people’s daily lives and people adopted us. And that is really a great success. We are at D-100 and I want to say, strongly in 100 days!“.

Women’s cycling in full swing but “ithere is still a long way to go”

In one year, women’s cycling has taken an important place both in France and internationally. More and more races are broadcast in order to allow more visibility to this sport. An evolution that the director of the Tour de France Women did not fail to underline: “There is more and more women’s cycling on TV, whether it’s the Classics, the Grand Tours. Everything evolves” before, however, issuing a certain reservation: “IYou have to go there carefully becausethere is still a long way to go but we are on the right road and the right direction“.

Marion Rousse:We want the magic of the Tour to take a little more”

While this second edition will depart from Clermont-Ferrand, before crisscrossing the roads of the south of France via Cahors, Rodez, Albi, Blagnac or even the legendary Col du Roumalet, the former cyclist has set no goals in terms of success in the race. But she invites the French, cycling enthusiasts or not, to come and encourage the runners this summer: “We don’t fix anything but obviouslywe want the magic of the Tour to take a little more, that we get into mores and that people are just happy to come. It’s an open-air show and above all it’s free, so come with your family and it will happen naturally. Well, I’m not worried. We would always like more, but first year we have already been adopted and it can only go in this direction“, she said.