The Tour de France Femmes, a celebration of women's cycling, is facing a critical challenge: inadequate media coverage. This issue has sparked outrage, with TNT Sports presenter Orla Chennaoui leading the charge. Her frustration is understandable, as the race has garnered significant interest and excitement, yet the organizers' decision to limit live broadcasts is a disservice to the sport.
Chennaoui's passion for women's cycling is evident. With a decade of experience covering the sport, she has witnessed the surge in media attention this year's Tour de France Femmes has received. The race's dynamic and dramatic nature has captivated audiences, as evidenced by the flood of excitement and joy on her algorithm. However, the lack of live television coverage is a setback.
The 2023 champion, Demi Vollering's crash on stage 3, was notably missed by live television. This incident highlights the importance of comprehensive coverage. The Cyclists' Alliance, a labor organization representing professional cyclists, agrees. They emphasize that partial coverage is insufficient for the biggest race in women's cycling. The demand for full coverage is undeniable, and they advocate for a logical next step: full coverage for all nine stages in 2027.
The organizers, ASO and France TV, have the power to make this change. Chennaoui's Instagram reel highlights the Paris-Roubaix Femmes race, which had less than 90 minutes of live coverage, as a step backward. She argues that the audience is there, and the organizers should not underestimate the interest in women's racing.
The growing popularity of women's cycling is undeniable, as evidenced by the 40% increase in viewership from 18.3 million in 2024 to 25.7 million in 2025. The opening stage of the 2026 race on August 1 had 2.17 million viewers on France 2, with a higher audience share. This trend underscores the need for comprehensive coverage to match the sport's rising popularity.
In conclusion, the Tour de France Femmes organizers must recognize the importance of full coverage to honor the sport's growth and popularity. By taking a step forward and providing comprehensive coverage, they can ensure that women's cycling receives the attention it deserves, fostering a more inclusive and exciting sporting landscape.
