FAQ

Questions:

What is Tour de Feminin?
Where is the race happening and what makes this region interesting?
How many phases does the race have and which ones are there this year?
Who was behind the creation of Tour de Feminin and how did the idea to establish this race come about?
How has the race evolved from its first year to the present?
What significant moments or milestones in the race's history are worth mentioning?
Which famous cyclists have won Tour de Feminin or kickstarted their career here?
What are the most famous or hardest sections of the race track?
How many people are involved in organizing the race and who stands in the front?
What role do volunteers, partners and local institutions play in organizing the race?
How is the safety of competitors and spectators ensured during the race?
What innovations have been associated with the race in recent years?
How has the level of women's cycling changed from the beginnings of the race to today?
What place does the Tour de Feminin have in the calendar of women's cycling races in the Czech Republic and around the world?

Answers:

1. What is Tour de Feminin?

Tour de Feminin is a women's international phase cycling race

2. Where is the race happening and what makes this region interesting?

The center of the race is Krásná Lípa in the Ústí nad Labem region. Krásná Lípa is known as the Northern gateway to the Bohemian Switzerland National Park. The park provides both a sporting challenge and a beautiful backdrop with its unique sandstone formations and the biotope associated with them.

3. How many stages does the race have and which ones are there this year?

The race is divided into four phases during 4 days. This year they are :

1^st Stage: circuit of the former Rumburské vzpoury travel cup race

The team time trial leads through Krásná Lípa to Doubice, and back to Krásná Lípa, a total of 12.6 km

2^nd Stage: Through the Bohemian Switzerland National Park

Road race which starts and ends in Krásná Lípa, a total of 121,5 km

3^rd Stage: through the Šluknovsko pahorkatinou

Road race which starts and ends in Rumburk, a total of 123,4 km

4^th Stage: through the lužické hory

Road race from Varnsdorf to Krásná Lípa, a total of 88 km

4. Who was behind the creation of Tour de Feminin and how did the idea to establish this race come about?

The race was founded by Jiří Vích, the idea came about at a time when women's cycling was strong in Czechoslovakia in the 1980s, and cycling clubs were obliged to organize races for women's categories. Thanks to this, the idea of their own stage race was born, the first year of which started in 1988. Jiří Vích's daughter, Šárka Víchová Pešková, was also a key figure in the race, both as a successful competitor and later as its director.

5. How has the race evolved from its first year to the present?

The Tour de Feminin has undergone significant development since its inception, from a local race to one of the most prestigious races in Europe.

6. What significant moments or milestones in the race's history are worth mentioning?

A significant moment that is certainly worth mentioning is Julia Kopecký's victory in 2024. Especially since no Czech woman has won since 1989.

Also known as the "Toughest Edition," the 2025 race saw extreme rain and cold conditions that tested the peloton so severely that the event solidified its reputation as the most challenging women's stage race in Europe.

Following a forced two-year hiatus caused by the Covid-19 pandemic and organizational changes, the race returned with a new team led by Simona Davídková, an international cycling commissaire and director of the RoadCycling.cz portal.

7. Which famous cyclists have won Tour de Feminin or kickstarted their career here?

Famous participants include:

Julia Kopecký - The first czech victor after 35 years
Amy Cure - has won multiple world championships in track cycling and a Olympic medalist
Joselin Kate Lowden - dominated year 2021, former record holder in the hour race
Hanka Kupfernagel - World champion and Olympic medalist and TdFem record holder
Martina Sáblíková - three-time Olympic champion, multiple world and European champion in speed skating

8. What are the most famous or hardest sections of the race track?

This year, the royal stage will be the second stage through Hřensko, which has the highest elevation this year. Here we will find the most beautiful scenery, but also treacherous terrain.

9. How many people are involved in organizing the race and who stands in the front?

The race is led by Simona Davídková. A team of 20 key organizers (Roman Horký - course commander, Jakub Horký - safety manager, Jiří Horký - head of the race office, MUDr. Jitka Švorcová - race doctor, etc.) are involved in the preparation and smooth running of the race, supplemented by volunteers.

10. What role do volunteers, partners and local institutions play in organizing the race?

Volunteers are key to safety and logistics.

Partners ensure the financial stability and professionalism of the race.

Local institutions provide both permits, as the race takes place on public roads, and financial support from public budgets.

11. How is the safety of competitors and spectators ensured during the race?

Safety is ensured by both IZS members who are stationed at risky intersections and turnoffs, as well as motorcycle marshals who monitor the safe passage of cyclists along the routes. However, a key component of ensuring safety are almost three hundred volunteers, race supporters, whose task is to ensure the safe passage of competitors at other intersections throughout all four days.

12. What innovations have been associated with the race in recent years?

The Alliance of Women with Breast Cancer is newly associated with the race. This association reminds us of the importance of prevention and a healthy lifestyle. It is thanks to the support of the Alliance and other loyal partners that this beautiful tradition is being kept alive and developed further. Furthermore, the introduction of a team time trial and technological developments, e.g. by including the Veloviewer application.

13. How has the level of women's cycling changed from the beginnings of the race to today?

Previously, most female competitors were de facto amateurs or semi-professionals. Many had to pay for their own equipment and travel.

Today, there is a clear team structure, female competitors have salaries and professional support.

14. What place does the Tour de Feminin hold in the women’s cycling calendar, both in the Czech Republic and internationally?

The Tour de Feminin has a very high status, both domestically and internationally. Among the participants it is called the Little Tour de France for women. It is one of two women's stage races on Czech territory registered in the International Cycling Union (UCI) calendar.