Stage 1: Rotterdam – The Hague (124 km)
Like the Men’s Tour which left Amsterdam in 1954, the Women’s Tour de France will have its first start abroad in the Netherlands. A nice nod to the Dutch champions who made the legend of women’s cycling. The finish of the first stage, in The Hague, will be conducive to a sprint.
Stage 2: Dordrecht – Rotterdam (67 km)
This is one of the particularities of the course: there will be two half-stages on the second day. The formula, abandoned among men since the 1990s, is brought up to date among women. The first stage of the day will therefore be short, 67 kilometers, and should offer an opportunity for the sprinters.
Stage 3: Rotterdam – Rotterdam (6.3 km)
In the afternoon, back in Rotterdam, the riders will be entitled to the only time trial of this Tour de France Femmes, which will cross the historic bridges of the city. It will be only 6.3 kilometers, three times less than the 2023 time in Pau, and will be intended for specialists in short efforts.
Stage 4: Valkenburg – Liège (122 km)
Straddling two countries, this stage will take certain routes of the Amstel Gold Race, with the legendary Cauberg to climb, then those of Liège-Bastogne-Liège, including the Redoute, the Côte des Forges and the Roche aux Faucons, which will make the difference in the end. A stage designed for classics specialists.
The profile of the 4th stage.
Stage 5: Bastogne – Amnéville (150 km)
Even if the profile suggests a flat stage, there will be, during this day, 2,000 meters of positive altitude difference, with a departure from Bastogne, from where the Liège-Bastogne-Liège women’s race starts each year. . The finish will be judged after a difficult last kilometer, between 3% and 6% depending on the location.
Stage 6: Remiremont – Morteau (160 km)
After a relatively quiet start to the stage which will pass through Mélisey, the stronghold of Thibaut Pinot, the race promises to get complicated in its second part. There will even be two difficulties in the last 30 kilometers, the Roche du Prêtre (5.5 km at 5.6%) and the Côte des Fins (1.8 km at 6.9%), a perfect playground for punchers-climbers.
Stage 7: Champagnole – Le Grand-Bornand (167 km)
The day before the finish, the longest stage of the week will take place, 167 kilometers, with five difficulties listed to toughen everything up. At the end of this roller coaster day, the climb to Grand-Bornand will allow for a big sorting of the general classification, before the last explanation the next day.
Stage 8: Le Grand-Bornand – Alpe d’Huez (150 km)
There was the Tourmalet in 2023, it will be the Alpe d’Huez in 2024. The ascent to the 21 bends will be the justice of the peace but also the final arrival of this Grande Boucle, at the end of a stage with 3 900 meters of positive altitude difference which will also pass through the Col du Glandon. Demi Vollering, the 2023 Vélo d’Or, will be keen to perpetuate the Dutch tradition born among men to possibly win a second Tour de France.
The profile of the 8th stage.
