Tour de Feminin is approaching: the press conference revealed the route, ambitions, and the return of world-class cycling to the Czech Republic

One of the most traditional women’s stage races in Central Europe is approaching once again. A press conference for the 37th edition of the Tour de Feminin was held in Prague, with the race set to take place from May 14 to May 17 in Northern Bohemia. Based in Krásná Lípa, this year’s event will feature a team time trial, a queen stage with more than 2,000 meters of elevation gain, and a modified finale designed, according to the organizers, to encourage a more dramatic battle right up to the final kilometers.

However, the biggest attention even before the start is being drawn by the level of team interest – 63 teams from around the world applied to participate, but only 29 can have a place on the start list.

Interest from Australia to the USA

Race director Simona Davídková confirmed that the Tour de Feminin continues to build a stronger reputation among women’s teams.

“This year we had an overwhelming number of applications. A total of 63 teams from Australia to the USA were interested in starting, but we can only accommodate 29 teams at the start. Last week, two continental teams withdrew due to rider injuries, and within ten minutes we had replacements. That shows just how strong the interest in Tour de Feminin is, both in Europe and worldwide,” said Davídková.

According to her, teams even try to secure a place at the last minute. “They write to me asking how much they can pay immediately to be allowed to start. But the start list is already full. This level of interest makes us incredibly happy, because it brings world-class cycling to Northern Bohemia,” she added.

The race may be “small” for its category

Tour de Feminin is currently ranked among lower-tier UCI races, but according to feedback from teams, its quality has already outgrown that level.

"We’re hearing from teams that we’ve become too big for a category 2 race. But women’s sport in the Czech Republic is still not that attractive to sponsors, and moving up to a higher category isn’t easy,” explained Davídková.

At the same time, the organizers are considering joining a new European series that aims to support lower-level races.

“I received an offer for us to become one of eight European races in a league that a Belgian organization is starting in cooperation with the UCI. The idea is that riders from club and continental teams often don’t have enough opportunities to race. While the number of WorldTour races is increasing, the second tier of the calendar is shrinking,” the race director added.

Route to Feature Time Trial and Queen Stage

Route Director Roman Horký has introduced the layout for this year's edition. According to him, the route has changed partly due to traffic restrictions, but also out of an effort to make the race more attractive.

"It’s a mix of both. Construction work forced us to change some routes, but at the same time, we reflected on whether the race wasn't perhaps extremely difficult for the women. We wanted to encourage competitiveness, which is why certain changes were made," said Horký.

The race will open with a 12.5-kilometer team time trial. "It is a discipline that isn't ridden very often in the women's peloton. Moreover, it is technical, so it’s demanding in terms of teamwork and riding technique," Horký described.

The second stage remains the same as last year and will serve as the Queen Stage of the race. "It is 121 kilometers long, and the riders will climb over 2,000 meters of elevation," he added.

The third stage has undergone significant changes due to traffic restrictions. The riders will pass through the town of Šluknov four times, each time from a different direction. The stage has been extended to 123 kilometers and will offer 1,600 meters of elevation gain.

The final stage, by contrast, will be shorter. "We have shortened it to 88 kilometers and reduced the number of GPMs. Originally there were nine; this year there will be four. We hope this will encourage racing and battles right down to the final kilometers," Horký explained.

Němcová Aims Higher

Barbora Němcová from the Dukla Praha team, who was the top-ranked Czech rider in the general classification last year, also spoke at the press conference. Her 14th-place finish continued a trend of steady improvement across previous editions.

"Tour de Feminin is definitely one of the toughest races of my entire season. I’ll be competing for the fourth year, and I’ve improved my position every single time. I hope this year will be even better," said Němcová.

According to her own words, the strong competition motivates her. "I am very happy that the competition is so high and that we get to race in such a large peloton. The climbs and mountain sprints suit me. I’d like to fight for the best possible finish among the Czech riders and perhaps even try for the climber's jersey," she added.

VIF Cycling Wants to Be Seen

Sports Director Vojtěch Řepa spoke on behalf of the second Czech continental women's team, VIF Cycling Team. For his squad, the Tour de Feminin is one of the most important races of the season.

"For a Czech team, this is an incredibly important race. We believe that we help the Tour de Feminin by participating, but at the same time, the race helps us immensely," stated Řepa.

The team also has a personal connection to the region of Šluknovský výběžek thanks to ties with the local cycling scene. "We have many kindred spirits and potential partners there. We want to present ourselves in the best possible light. After moving up to the continental level, we want to establish our position rather than just participating. We want to be visible in the race and, if possible, actively engage in the action," he added.

Tour de Feminin as a Regional Brand

The race enjoys long-term support from municipalities, the Ústí Region, and local partners. Senator Zbyněk Linhart pointed out that the Tour de Feminin is firmly linked to Bohemian Switzerland and the Děčín district.

"Thirty-seven years is a long enough time to prove that the race is worthwhile and of high quality. I am glad that the towns and villages of the Šluknovský výběžek, as well as the Ústí nad Labem Region, have gradually become involved," said Linhart.

According to him, the race deserves even more significant support from the state and the National Sports Agency.

text: RoadCycling - Petr Zedník, foto: Jakub Trmal