La Course by Le Tour has been acknowledged as a great step forward for women’s cycling. Equal prize money to the men’s stage, and a ready and waiting audience have been repeatedly applauded.

The success of last year’s edition has encouraged organisers of other major men’s tours – such as the Vuelta, to consider a similar event, and the Tour of California has already grown its women’s race in response.

The Importance of La Course by Le Tour de France

Lizzie Armitstead has said: “I think La Course is a very good race for women’s cycling. It’s a World stage and we have the support from the crowd from the men’s race, because they’re going to be there. It means millions of people on the street and we just get the opportunity to showcase our sport.”

Her team mate, Evelyn Stevens, added: “I think that La Course it’s really exciting and a huge step in women cycling.”

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The race was sponsored last year by Specialized, and they have provided the same support for 2015. Yann Le Moenner, Managing Director of the race orgaisers, A.S.O. said: “This renewed confidence confirms the great value and the legitimacy of this new women’s race, whose images, with the Champs-Elysées as a background, were broadcasted in more than 150 countries last year.”

CMO at Specialized, Slate Olsen added: “It is important that we keep this momentum going, and with our support of La Course we hope to ensure that the exposure to a growing global audience will only strengthen the sport for women racing at the highest level.”