MADRID, 10 Jul. (EUROPA PRESS) –
The Dutch city of Rotterdam will host the start of the third edition of the women’s Tour de France, which will take place between August 12 and 18, 2024, so the race will start outside French borders for the first time, after the beginnings from Paris, in 2022, and Clermont-Ferrand, in 2023.
“We are proud to organize the first foreign ‘Grand Départ’ of the women’s Tour de France together with The Hague and Dordrecht, the magic of the Tour spreads far and wide. This unforgettable event will encourage our citizens to get on the bike,” declared the Mayor of Rotterdam, Ahmed Aboutaleb, this Monday in the official statement of the announcement.
The eight stages that the cyclists will travel in 2024 will be presented on October 25 at the Palais des Congrès in Paris, but it has been confirmed that the first three will run through the Netherlands. The race will take place from August 12 to 18 of next year, between the Games and the Paris 2024 Paralympics. In addition, there will be a double stage on August 13, with an afternoon time trial through the streets of Rotterdam.
The director of the race, Marion Rousse, assured that the Netherlands will become “the world center” of women’s sport. “The last few seasons have been a story of Dutch growth. Starting from the home of these champions will be a great popular party,” she said, highlighting local cyclist Annemiek van Vleuten.
The test will take place in its second edition starting on Sunday, July 23, from Clermont-Ferrand. The end will be in Pau on the 30th, just one after the end of the stage in the mythical Tourmalet. “This is an unprecedented opportunity to highlight our region and enhance its credentials,” said the mayor of Clermont-Ferrand, Olivier Bianchi.