Stage one of the 2024 Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift didn’t come to a successful ending, but the way the team rode on the Dutch roads set the tone for a great stage race ahead.

This year’s race started nervously and hectically in Rotterdam and ended with a thrilling finale in La Haye in front of a spectacular Dutch crowd who were out to support.

A fierce opening to the 124km start minutes of racing to make the first break with Agnieszka Skalniak-Sokja joining an early breakaway that gained 20 seconds after the first 30 minutes of racing before being caught. This first stage featured windswept flat terrain, sweltering conditions, and a few unpredictable crashes, in which some of our riders were involved but quickly returned to the peloton.

Elise Chabbey and Alice Towers spent a lot of time well-placed at the front of the peloton throughout the stage to protect the team.

Unfortunately, Elise Chabbey crashed in the last kilometre and would be seen by the team doctor after the stage for further assessment.

Tomorrow it’s two stages on the same day with a time trial in the afternoon of the day in Rotterdam.

RIDER REACTIONS:

Chloé Dygert: “The crowd was phenomenal. It was almost like we were back in Paris. Unfortunately, I was behind an early crash and came down. I’m not even sure what happened there, as it was so fast.

There was another crash in the final that we needed to avoid. We’re hoping Elise is also okay after coming down. In the end, it was about getting our team through as safely as possible, and now we can look forward to tomorrow.”

Neve Bradbury: “First, it was very hectic and windy as expected, but nothing broke the bunch up. There were quite a few crashes, so we just tried to stay in the front all the time, which we did well. We had almost everyone at the front, so we could be happy with how we raced.

We had a few crashes, with three people coming down in one of the early ones, but hopefully, everyone is okay after getting checked properly by the team doctor.”

Alice Towers: “Today’s stage was hectic, and we made a point to stay together all the time, and we did it really well.

There was a hectic moment before the QOM where there were crashes on a narrow road, but we all got back in the peloton. Kasia and Chloé were involved but they came to the final safely. Elise had a crash in the last 2km, but I hope she is ok. We did our aim of protecting for the GC so we can be pleased.”

HOW TO WATCH

The Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift is from 12 to 18 August. The race can be followed on X with #TDFF2024 and #WatchTheFemmes. A daily broadcast can be found on France TV, RTBF, VRT, TG4, NOS, TV2, Eurosport, RTVE, SRG-SSR, SPORTSCHAU, CARACOL, RCN, FRANCE 24, SUPERSPORT, ABU DHABI SPORTS, FLOBIKES, CNBC, PEACOCK, ESPN, SBS, JSPORTS, SKY SPORT, ZHIBO TV, TV5MONDE and MAX.

Stage 2 | Dordrecht – Rotterdam | 69,7km | 09:50CEST | Broadcast 09:30CEST.

Stage 3 ITT | Rotterdam – Rotterdam | 6,3km | 15:10CEST | Broadcast 15:40CEST.

Stage 4 | Valkenburg – Liège | 122.7km | 12:25CEST | Broadcast 13:30CEST.

Stage 5 | Bastogne – Amnéville | 152.5km | 11:55CEST | Broadcast 13:30CEST.

Stage 6 | Remiremont – Morteau | 159.2km | 11:30CEST | Broadcast 13:30CEST.

Stage 7 | Champagnole – Le Grand-Bornand | 166.4km | 10:30CEST | Broadcast 13:00CEST.

Stage 8 | Le Grand-Bornand – Alpe D’Huez | 149.9km | 13:40CEST | Broadcast 16:20CEST.

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