Since the revival of the Tour de France Femmes in 2022, the landscape of women’s cycling has seen notable advancements, according to professional cyclist Lotte Backstedt. Reflecting on recent developments, Backstedt highlighted the significant progress within the sport, particularly emphasizing the impact of Kasia Niewiadoma’s victory in the 2024 edition of the race.

Backstedt described the evolution of women’s cycling as both inspiring and meaningful, noting how increased visibility and competitive opportunities are reshaping perceptions. “It’s been really cool to be aware of the changes that are happening in the sport, to watch all of the years’ progress and then also to watch Kasia winning in 2024,” she said. For Backstedt, such milestones carry importance beyond individual achievements, serving as a source of motivation for aspiring young female cyclists.

She expressed hope that the growing prominence of women’s cycling events like the Tour de France Femmes will encourage young girls to envision themselves reaching new heights in the sport. “I hope for the young girls that are also watching it now going, ‘one day I want to be wearing that yellow jersey’, kind of what we had watching the men growing up, but never had the opportunity to say that it was possible,” Backstedt commented. “I hope that they all now think, I can do that one day.”

The 2026 Tour de France Femmes is scheduled to begin today, with all nine stages being broadcast live on TNT Sports and available for streaming on HBO Max from 2:30 p.m. local time. The expanded coverage reflects growing interest and support for women’s professional cycling, providing a wider audience access to the event.

The resurgence and increasing media presence of the Tour de France Femmes represent a broader shift toward gender equity in professional sports. Organizers continue to build on momentum from recent years to establish the race as a premier event in the cycling calendar, fostering greater participation and recognition for female athletes worldwide.