Interview Tour de Feminin

Since 1988, talented women are racing on Czech roads. Few races on the calendar have such a long palmares full of big names in the sport. The race started with established champions like Hanka Kupfernagel, Zinaida Stahurskaya and Trixi Worrack. In recent years, the race transitioned towards a challenging competition where the champions of tomorrow display their talent. Riders like Dominika Wlodarczyk, Julia Kopecky and Cecilie Uttrup Ludwig have made it to the podium in the past 10 years. But the organization doesn't want to lean back on its legacy. They are also determined to adapt their race to the future. Through this interview, you get a rare behind-the-scenes look at the organization of one of cycling's oldest and most open minded races.

Photo : Jakub Trmal

You're one of the oldest races on the women's calendar now with big champions on your palmares, what does this mean for you?

It is, above all, a tremendous honor for us. Looking back at our palmares and seeing so many champions who either won here or used our race as a stepping stone to the highest levels of professional cycling is incredibly rewarding. It confirms that we are doing something right.

The fact that we are organizing the 37th edition this year speaks volumes about our perseverance, but more importantly, it shows that there is still a massive demand in the race from teams and riders alike.

Our goal is to keep this momentum going for many years to come. We are committed to ensuring that the Tour de Feminin remains a challenging and prestigious event for the peloton, while staying exciting and engaging for the fans who support us.

In recent years, you became an ideal race for talent scouts. Would you like to present this as your strength in the coming years too?

Absolutely. We definitely see this as one of our core strengths and we intend to lean into it even more in the coming years. The high participation of young, talented riders is partly due to our classification as a Women Elite 2.2 race, which provides the perfect platform for developing riders. However, it’s not just about the category. Teams recognize that while our race is demanding, especially given the hilly profile of the stages, it offers invaluable experience that you simply cannot get elsewhere. For many riders, Tour de Feminin is the place where they learn how to handle a tough multi-day race and it is the literal starting point of their journey to the WorldTour. We are very proud that it is often at our race where the world gets its first glimpse of the stars of tomorrow.

Photo : Jakub Trmal

Organizing a cycling race became financially challenging at times. How do you experience this yearly search for budgets?

As an endless and exhausting effort with limited success. Due to the amount of time spent securing funding, we are left with less space to improve the race in areas where we ourselves see the need for progress, even though it may not be visible from the outside.

What are your ambitions for the future of the race?

We are at a crossroads: either move our race up to a higher UCI category, or accept the offer and remain among the top races in the second division of the UCI WE 2.2 category. Every year we hear that our race and organizing team deserve to move up to the next level. It also comes down to the amount of financial resources we are able to invest in the race.

Safety became a more prominent theme in cycling in recent years. How do you deal with this as an organization?

Safety is our absolute priority. Ensuring a safe environment for the peloton is an immense logistical challenge that starts months before the first stage. We begin by meticulously mapping every single intersection and potential hazard along the entire route. Once the risks are identified, the real work begins. We rely on a massive network of volunteers who serve as traffic marshals. Their dedication is the backbone of our safety strategy. This entire operation requires seamless coordination with the police, emergency services, and the representatives of the towns and municipalities the race passes through. Furthermore, we invest a lot of effort into communicating traffic restrictions to the public. It isn't always easy to balance the needs of the race with the daily lives of local residents, but we consider it essential. We are proud to say that, in terms of safety and organization, the race is now fully stabilized and prepared to meet the highest standards.

Photo : Filip Bezdek

How did you see women's cycling evolve in the past 10 years from the perspective of an organization?

It is truly incredible to witness how far women’s cycling has come in the last decade. From our perspective as organizers, the evolution is visible in every aspect–from the sheer number of races on the calendar to their increasing difficulty and professional standards. However, the most significant shift has been in media coverage. This is the most crucial element because it ensures that these incredible athletes are seen and that the world finally knows their stories. Increased visibility brings in more fans, more sponsors, and ultimately more opportunities for the riders. We are genuinely thrilled to be a part of this journey and to contribute to the growth of a sport that is finally getting the recognition it deserves.

What is your vision on how women's cycling is organized today? (through the UCI regulations)

It is not only women’s cycling that is affected by UCI regulations. Apart from the race distance for women, the rules are the same across all categories. There is a strong emphasis on race safety in particular, which is also our priority.

When do you start the preparation for next year's edition?

Usually as early as August, when we submit our request for the race to be scheduled in the UCI calendar for the following year.