Will Women Race in the Tour de France in 2014?
Women are fighting for the chance to race in the Tour de France for the first time in the race's 100 year-history.
The world's most famous bicycle race, the Tour de France, has been around for 100 years and has stuck to its traditional roots since its inception: all male riders. Now, some of the biggest names in women's cycling want a chance at the yellow jersey, and are taking action with an online petition.
While the Tour de France has always been a mens-only race, women had a tour of their own for a period of time. The Tour Feminin was held from 1984 to 2009, but as can often happen with women's sports, the race received scant media coverage and suffered from lack of coverage. Rather than reinstating the Tour Feminin, this petition is asking for the entry of women into the men's race.
The petition has some big name supporters, like Olympic gold medalist Marianne Vos and British Olympian Emma Pooley, the last Tour Feminin winner. Riders and petition organizers claim that allowing women to participate in the race "will also create an equal opportunity to debunk the myths of physical limitations placed on female athletes." Their letter addressed to Tour Director Christian Prudhomme told him it's time that "women are allowed to race in the Tour de France, too." Here at MC, we have to say we agree.
Stay In The Know
Get exclusive access to fashion and beauty trends, hot-off-the-press celebrity news, and more.
I'm an Associate Editor at the Business of Fashion, where I edit and write stories about the fashion and beauty industries. Previously, I was the brand editor at Adweek, where I was the lead editor for Adweek's brand and retail coverage. Before my switch to business journalism, I was a writer/reporter at PEOPLE.com, where I wrote news posts, galleries and articles for PEOPLE magazine's website. My work has been published on TheAtlantic.com, ELLE.com, MarieClaire.com, PEOPLE.com, GoodHousekeeping.com and in Every Day with Rachael Ray. It has been syndicated by Cosmopolitan.com, TIME.com, TravelandLeisure.com and GoodHousekeeping.com, among other publications. Previously, I've worked at VOGUE.com, ELLE.com, and MarieClaire.com.
-
'Dune: Prophecy' Shows the Bene Gesserit's Rise to Power—Meet the Next Gen Actresses Leading the Max Series
And if you need a refresher on House Atreides and Harkonnen lore, we've got you covered.
By Quinci LeGardye Published
-
Prince Andrew's "Anxiety is Through the Roof " Amid Royal Lodge Battle
The royal "is generally very lost," a source claims.
By Kristin Contino Published
-
Nicole Kidman Addresses the Popular Meme Referencing Her Divorce From Tom Cruise
"That wasn't real life."
By Amy Mackelden Published
-
36 Ways Women Still Aren't Equal to Men
It's just one of the many ways women still aren't equal to men.
By Brooke Knappenberger Last updated
-
Her Love of Basketball Left Her Stateless
One athlete’s quest for freedom from Afghanistan, where the Taliban's restrictive and regressive policies on women's sports put her life in danger.
By Abigail Pesta Published
-
EMILY's List President Laphonza Butler Has Big Plans for the Organization
Under Butler's leadership, the largest resource for women in politics aims to expand Black political power and become more accessible for candidates across the nation.
By Rachel Epstein Published
-
Want to Fight for Abortion Rights in Texas? Raise Your Voice to State Legislators
Emily Cain, executive director of EMILY's List and and former Minority Leader in Maine, says that to stop the assault on reproductive rights, we need to start demanding more from our state legislatures.
By Emily Cain Published
-
Your Abortion Questions, Answered
Here, MC debunks common abortion myths you may be increasingly hearing since Texas' near-total abortion ban went into effect.
By Rachel Epstein Published
-
The Future of Afghan Women and Girls Depends on What We Do Next
Between the U.S. occupation and the Taliban, supporting resettlement for Afghan women and vulnerable individuals is long overdue.
By Rona Akbari Published
-
How to Help Afghanistan Refugees and Those Who Need Aid
With the situation rapidly evolving, organizations are desperate for help.
By Katherine J. Igoe Published
-
Who Is Gwen Berry, the Athlete, Activist, and Olympian?
"I’m extremely American because I’ll fight for people here, because we’ve endured it here..."
By Megan DiTrolio Published