Preview: Tour de Romandie Féminin 2024

The Tour de Romandie Féminin, although relatively young, has quickly established itself as a premier event in the women’s cycling calendar in the second half of the season. As the women’s counterpart to the long-running men’s Tour de Romandie, this three-day stage race is held in the stunning landscapes of Switzerland. The Tour de Romandie Féminin offers not only a platform for riders to demonstrate their climbing and stage-racing prowess but also a chance for the sport to further grow in popularity.

As the third edition of the race approaches, set for September 6 to September 8, 2024, the excitement continues to build. In just a few years, the Tour de Romandie Féminin has evolved from a new addition to the calendar to a cornerstone event that consistently attracts top-tier riders and teams.

The History of the Tour de Romandie Féminin

The Tour de Romandie Féminin was inaugurated in 2022 as part of the expanding Women’s WorldTour calendar. As women’s cycling has grown rapidly in recent years, with more races being added to the UCI calendar, the need for stage races comparable to their men’s equivalents has increased. The organizers of the men’s Tour de Romandie saw this demand and responded by creating a female version of the famous race that has been held in Switzerland since 1947.

Much like the men’s version, the Tour de Romandie Féminin takes place in the French-speaking region of Switzerland, known for its mountainous landscapes and breathtaking scenery. The men’s race, typically held in the spring, has always been a key preparatory event for the Giro d’Italia, while the women’s version, held in September, falls toward the latter part of the season, offering riders one last major stage race before the season concludes.

The inaugural edition of the Tour de Romandie Féminin in 2022 saw an impressive lineup of riders, including some of the biggest names in women’s cycling. The race immediately made its mark as a challenging event, with a route that featured the same level of difficulty as many of the men’s races. By establishing tough climbs and decisive stages, the Tour de Romandie Féminin offered a chance for climbers and general classification riders to shine.

In its first year, the race was won by Swiss star Marlen Reusser, whose victory on home soil was both significant and emotional for the fans and the Swiss cycling community. Reusser’s win helped establish the race as one to watch, and it provided a perfect showcase for women’s cycling at a time when the sport was gaining more visibility and professionalization.

In 2023, the race returned for its second edition, and the competition was even fiercer. The race attracted more of the top teams and riders, proving that it had already become an important fixture in the WorldTour calendar. The challenging terrain of the Swiss Alps provided the perfect backdrop for some thrilling racing, with Demi Vollering (SD Worx) taking the overall victory after a hard-fought battle in the mountains.

As the race heads into its third edition in 2024, it is expected to further solidify its place as a key event in the women’s WorldTour. The organizers have ensured that the race offers a balanced mix of stages, designed to test riders’ abilities across different terrains while maintaining the challenging nature that has made it famous.

The 2024 Route: Mountains, Rolling Terrain, and Sprint Finishes

The 2024 edition of the Tour de Romandie Féminin will feature three stages, each offering its own unique challenges. Riders will face a mix of flat sections, rolling hills, and, of course, the grueling mountain climbs that Switzerland is known for. Each stage will present a different set of challenges, and riders will need to be versatile and resilient to succeed.

Stage 1: La Grande Béroche – Lausanne (133.8 km)

The opening stage of the race covers 133.8 kilometers, taking the riders from La Grande Béroche to the city of Lausanne. This stage is expected to be one of the more straightforward stages of the race, with relatively flat terrain early on before transitioning into rolling hills as the riders approach Lausanne.

The final stretch of the stage could prove decisive. The hills in the latter part of the stage could split the peloton, making it a challenging day for the sprinters if the climbers and punchers decide to put the pressure on. Lausanne is known for its hilly roads, and the finish could come down to a reduced bunch sprint or even a small group breaking away in the final kilometers.

This stage will be crucial for riders hoping to stay in contention for the general classification. A poor performance here could lead to time losses that are difficult to recover in the mountainous stages to follow. On the other hand, riders who are more suited to sprinting or rolling terrain could make their mark and grab valuable seconds ahead of the more challenging days.

Stage 2: Chippis – Vercorin (101.9 km)

The second stage of the Tour de Romandie Féminin is where the real GC battle is likely to unfold. Covering 101.9 kilometers from Chippis to Vercorin, this stage is all about climbing. While the distance is shorter than the other stages, the elevation gain will more than make up for it. The final climb up to Vercorin is expected to be the key moment of the race.

This stage is designed for the pure climbers in the peloton, with long, sustained climbs that will create significant time gaps between the contenders. Riders who excel in the mountains will use this stage to distance themselves from their rivals, while those who struggle on the climbs will fight to limit their losses.

Vercorin, perched high in the Swiss Alps, offers a steep and punishing ascent. The climb will likely whittle down the peloton to just a handful of riders by the time they reach the summit. This is where riders like Demi Vollering, Kasia Niewiadoma, and Elisa Longo Borghini will look to attack and assert themselves as the favorites for the overall victory.

Stage 3: Morges – Morges (144.2 km)

The final stage of the 2024 Tour de Romandie Féminin takes place in a loop around the town of Morges, covering 144.2 kilometers. While not as mountainous as Stage 2, this stage features plenty of rolling hills that could make it difficult for the sprinters to control the race. With so much at stake, the final stage will likely see a lot of aggressive racing as teams look to make one last push for the GC or stage honors.

The stage could go one of two ways: a breakaway could succeed if the GC contenders decide to focus on each other, or it could come down to a reduced bunch sprint if the peloton stays relatively intact. Either way, the rolling terrain will ensure that the race remains exciting and unpredictable until the very end.

This stage also presents opportunities for teams with strong classics riders or time-trial specialists to make their mark. With the overall classification potentially still up for grabs, the final kilometers could see attacks from riders looking to gain precious seconds or secure a stage win.

Riders to watch:

The 2024 Tour de Romandie Féminin promises to be an exciting race with several key riders making headlines. Swiss rider Elisa Chabbey (Canyon-SRAM) will be a strong contender on home soil, showcasing her versatility as a climber and rouleur. The home rider is always good in Romandie and fans would want to see her have success as well.

Loes Adegeest (FDJ-SUEZ) will also be one to watch, coming off a strong season and known for her attacking prowess on challenging terrain. A bit of a dark horse but definitely a rider to keep your eye out for.

Pauliena Rooijakkers (Fenix-Deceuninck) thrives in mountainous stages, and the punishing climbs of Romandie will suit her well. Especially after her excellent Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift campaign, eyes will follow the Dutch rider in competition with her fellow Dutch riders.

Similarly, Shirin van Anrooij (Lidl-Trek) is developing into a top stage racer with climbing and time trial strengths, making her a threat in both GC and individual stages. Coming back from injuries she hasn’t shown her self yet, but the stages of Tour de Romandie might suit her well. We hope she is doing well this year.

Juliette Labous (Team DSM-firmenich) will lead the charge for the French team, aiming for another strong showing after a successful season, particularly in stage races. Her climbing abilities make her a top favorite in the high-altitude challenges of the race.

Returning after a jaw injury that forced her out of the Tour de France, Marlen Reusser (SD Worx-Protime) will be looking to reclaim her dominance in time trials and potentially overall standings. Her powerful time-trial skills and ability to sustain high efforts over tough climbs make her a key rider to watch in Romandie.

Lastly, Demi Vollering (SD Worx-Protime), the reigning queen of the women’s peloton in 2024, will undoubtedly enter as a favorite for the overall win. Her formidable climbing and time-trial abilities make her a well-rounded threat across all stages, particularly in the decisive mountain stages that will shape the race.

The race also plays an important role in the development of women’s cycling in Switzerland. With Swiss riders like Marlen Reusser emerging as key figures in the sport, the Tour de Romandie Féminin provides a platform for Swiss cycling fans to support their national heroes and for the next generation of female cyclists to be inspired.