CANYON//SRAM RACING SET TO SHINE AT THE 2024 TOUR DE FRANCE FEMMES AVEC ZWIFT

As the world of women's cycling eagerly awaits August 12th for the 2024 Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift to start, CANYON//SRAM Racing is poised to make a significant impact with a powerhouse roster.

Taking place between August 12th to 18th and covering a total distance of 946.3 km over eight stages, this third edition of the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift will not only be an incredible racing spectacle but it also represents a significant milestone in the evolution of women's cycling.

As one of the most prestigious races on the calendar, and a counterpart to the historic men's Tour de France, the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift further highlights the increasing recognition and investment in women's sports. By providing a platform for female cyclists to showcase their talent and endurance on a global stage, the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift is both promoting gender equality in sports and inspiring the next generation of female athletes too. The growing popularity and success of the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift underlines the importance of visibility and support for women's professional cycling, and will contribute to its development in years to come by encouraging broader participation and increased viewers on television and on the roadside.

Shorter stages, smaller teams, and distinct tactics in women's cycling contribute to a uniquely entertaining and dynamic racing experience compared to men's cycling. The shorter stages ensure that the races are more intense and action-packed, with fewer opportunities for riders to pace themselves, leading to more aggressive and strategic manoeuvres. Smaller team sizes require more versatile and adaptive racing strategies as there are fewer teammates to support a single leader, creating a more level playing field and more unpredictable outcomes. These factors, combined with the diverse range of tactics employed by the riders, creates a thrilling and engaging spectacle that captivates audiences and showcases the depth of talent and strategic acumen within women's cycling.

Known for its dynamic and aggressive racing style, CANYON//SRAM Racing has consistently been at the forefront of women's cycling and is dedicated to promoting diversity and innovation in the sport. With fifteen riders from nine different countries (including six who have just been competing at the Olympics), the Women’s World Tour team is home to a diverse group of highly ambitious women who are willing to invest in their future and the future of cycling by breaking new grounds and constantly challenging themselves and their competitors.

For this year’s Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift the team brings together proven professionals like World Gravel Champion Kasia Niewiadoma (AU), World Road Champion Chloe Dygert (US), plus Soraya Paladin (IT), Agnieszka Skalniak-Sojka (PL) and Elise Chabbey (CH), along with emerging talents such as Neve Bradbury (AU), and Alice Towers (UK). All are prepared to showcase their skills and tenacity on the sport's most prestigious stage and in its biggest race of the year.

CANYON//SRAM Racing aims to compete aggressively for both stage victories and the overall general classification. With a balanced roster that excels across various terrains, the team is ready to challenge the world's best and leave a lasting mark on the 2024 Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift.

CANYON//SRAM Racing will have three bikes at their disposal for this year's Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift. Canyon's latest Aeroad (pictured below) is the fastest bike in the pro peloton and its aero credentials will be used to great effect from flat stages to climbing stages. For the highest mountain days, some riders will try to defy gravity by using Canyon's lighter weight Ultimate racing bike. And for stage 3's 6.3 km time trial, Canyon's Speedmax CFR TT bike will be employed to make every second count.

On top of competing at the world’s most prestigious races in women's cycling, CANYON//SRAM is also pushing boundaries with young talents from all over the world.

CANYON//SRAM Generation is the development arm of the WorldTour Team and is part of CANYON//SRAM Racing’s long-term Diversity & Inclusion program. This two-tier structure was the first for a European-based World Team to create a formal pathway towards the Women’s World Tour. Now in its third year, the team aims to help talented female athletes from diverse backgrounds reach the top of professional cycling and to help them break new ground for their future and the future of cycling. For some, the dream of joining the WorldTour has already come true. Leading examples like Ricarda Bauernfeind, who joined CANYON//SRAM Generation in 2022 and took the step up into the World Tour Team in 2023, achieving a stage victory at the 2023 Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift, demonstrate the benefits of investing in young and emerging talents for both the athletes and female cycling overall.

The 2024 roster of CANYON//SRAM Generation unites nine ambitious women from nine countries, including Diane Ingabire (above), who won both the Rwandan National Road Race and Time Trial Championships, back-to-back in 2022 and 2023. Find out more about the Generation team and their riders via this link.

If you are not yet hooked for the most exciting cycling race out there, have a look at last year’s “Out in Front” short documentary, giving insights on the female Tours present and past. Watch it here.

1. Image credits: Individual riders: ©Tino Pohlmann. Group shot: ©ThomasMaheux. All other images: ©Canyon.

2. High res versions available on request

3. For further information on the CANYON//SRAM Racing riders and the eight Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift stages, check out this handy guide.