Tour de France Women 2023: Second Edition Sees Growing Enthusiasm at Grand Depart in Clermont-Ferrand
A year after its inaugural edition, the public responded wholeheartedly to the call on Sunday in Clermont-Ferrand. Thousands gathered to witness the grand departure. Tour de France Womens Race Unbelievable Crowds and Excitement in Clermont Ferrand.
The anticipated excitement was indeed palpable at the starting point in Clermont-Ferrand, Puy-de-Dôme. On Sunday, July 23rd, thousands assembled at Place de Jaude to witness the team presentations and the commencement of the 154 riders in the Tour de France Women’s race.
Under the towering statue of Vercingetorix, adorned for the occasion with a yellow jersey and flag, spectators gradually amassed along the metal barriers in the late morning, hoping to catch a glimpse of the riders. “This morning on the bus, we wondered if the audience would show up, as the men’s race culminates at the Champs-Elysées simultaneously. But seeing all these people, we realized we’re in for an exciting journey. There are even more people than last year,” exclaimed Stephen Delcourt, General Manager of FDJ-Suez team.
“I didn’t expect to see so many people at the start today; the atmosphere is really wonderful. I’m thrilled to experience this,” said Nicolas, a Belgian spectator, experiencing the Tour’s ambiance for the first time. Dressed in cycling attire, helmet, and sunglasses, this tourist planned a day of cycling around Clermont-Ferrand after stopping by for the grand departure.
Clermont locals in attendance Just a few meters away, Damien, 37, a resident of Clermont, came with his family to witness the event. “In a year, you can feel that the enthusiasm has grown. The level of the riders, which was already high last year, has also increased,” noted this Tour de France enthusiast and cycling aficionado. “We positioned ourselves near the mixed zone to see the riders. It’s incredible. In the men’s race, you can’t get as close. It’s like a Paris-Nice for the men but in the Tour de France,” he remarked, hoping to catch a glimpse of the French rider Audrey Cordon-Ragot. “I would love to see her win a stage; I’ve been following her since the beginning,” he added.
Within minutes, his dream comes true. The 33-year-old Breton rider appears in the mixed zone. Damien swiftly grabs his phone to capture the moment with the double 2022 French champion (road race and time trial), who is all smiles. “There was already a crowd last year, but now, it’s quite crazy,” observed Audrey Cordon-Ragot. “This kind of atmosphere doesn’t exist in women’s cycling, except for the Tour, so it’s quite incredible. It’s exhilarating and exciting. I want to give my best.”
Audrey Cordon-Ragot, leader of the Human Powered Health team on Franceinfo: sport This unique atmosphere didn’t leave the riders indifferent, as explained by Elisa Longo Borghini (Lidl-Trek). “The enthusiasm is truly there. Clermont-Ferrand is packed. When we arrived on the bus, we could see the crowd several meters away from the square, and I was thinking, ‘Is this a market or the crowd for the Tour?’ People were there to see us, which is truly amazing,” smiled the Italian rider, who thanked “the French for being so warm.” “It means a lot to us, and I really hope it will be the same throughout the Tour,” she added, wearing her Italian champion t-shirt an hour before the grand departure.
“Here, the passion for cycling is immense” Her compatriot, Marta Cavalli (FDJ-Suez), also relishes this interaction with the public. “Here, the passion for cycling is immense, and you can feel that people truly love cycling and athletes,” said the Italian rider, who hopes to script a “new story in the Tour de France” following her serious accident on the second stage last year.
A few meters away, the team presentations continue, and when the French riders Juliette Labous (DSM-Firmenich) and Evita Muzic (FDJ-Suez) are mentioned, applause and encouragement are heard, accompanied by a few extra decibels. “Juliette, Juliette,” shouts a supporter wearing a polka-dot jersey and cap as Juliette passes through the mixed zone. She turns to acknowledge the source of the enthusiastic calls, waving and smiling warmly, much to his delight.
As minutes pass, the rows behind the safety barriers grow larger. “Are you ready, Clermont, to make some noise for the riders?” exclaims Vincent Didelot, the Tour’s announcer, warming up the crowd. With temperatures still at 30 degrees half an hour before the first riders arrive, the front rows reach out to grab the small yellow flags with the Women’s Tour de France logo, ready to wave them as the riders pass. Too far away to catch one of the banners, a couple gives up and positions themselves in front of the giant screen set up on the podium. “Look, they’re just before the Durtol hill,” the first points out to his partner. “Yes, those are your turns, you know them by heart,” she replies.
Next step, public recognition of the riders Riding solo, Belgian rider Lotte Kopecky (Team SD Worx-Protime) is about to win the first stage of this second edition. The rows of spectators become denser as the crowd presses closer to the metal barriers, all eyes fixed on the finish line. Spectators begin to tap on the barriers, increasing the excitement. Jean-Louis and Estelle have just arrived and are relishing the easy access. “We saw the men a few days ago, and today we’re here for the women. We’re very happy to host both Tours, and we’re enjoying the easy access to come support the riders. We can really see them up close; it’s fantastic,” smiles the 42-year-old resident of Clermont, while applauding the first riders to cross the finish line.
While Lotte Kopecky receives warm applause from the crowd, the audience raises their voices even more for the sole French rider on the podium that day, Cédrine Kerbaol (Ceratizit – wnt), who dons the white jersey as the best young rider. “Bravo, bravo,” resounds from various directions.
From the organizers’ perspective, while they are pleased with the growing enthusiasm, caution prevails. “We’ve started on a good note; it’s mostly positive. But after just the second edition, we can’t determine if it’s a success or not. We need to wait for four or five editions,” notes Franck Perque, the race director. While awaiting confirmation of the Women’s Tour’s success, the public still needs to get to know the riders. “Last year, there was certainly a popular success, with one caveat: identifying the riders. We need to overcome this hurdle, for them to find their place in the hearts of the French people,” highlights Stephen Delcourt. “It takes time, and it’s also achieved through remarkable feats on the bike.”
