Whether for men or women, the recipe for a good Tour de France is the same: good preparation and identification of key places beforehand.
France 24 followed the Cofidis team as it perfects its preparation in the east of France for the women's Grande Boucle which will start on July 24th.
On the menu in particular, the rise of the Planche des Belles filles in the "Super" version.
Having become a classic of the Grande Boucle, the Vosges climb is 7 km long with an average gradient of 8.7%.
And in its extended version, an additional 1 km largely unpaved extends the displeasure with a 24% ramp.
Borrowed by the men on July 8, it was Tadej Pogacar who won there.
>> See also, ActuElles: the return of the Tour de France Women, a major step for women's cycling
"It's a legendary stage, it's the last stage of the women's Tour de France. It's the first Tour de France", enthuses Gaël Le Bellec, sports director of Cofidis.
"The importance of scouting is to know the really strategic moments when you will have to be well placed."
"Oh my God!" Can't help exclaiming Clara Koppenburg, the team's climber, as she reaches the summit.
"The last part was really hard because it's always difficult to ride on gravel."
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