Sports Minister Marina Ferrari Calls for Full TV Coverage of Tour de France Femmes

Marina Ferrari, France's Minister of Sports, Youth, and Associative Life, has publicly advocated for the Tour de France Femmes to be broadcast in its entirety. Currently, only four out of the nine stages of the race are fully televised on France Télévisions, limiting the event's visibility. During her visit to the 7th stage in Ardèche—a challenging 146-kilometer route culminating with the iconic Mont Ventoux ascent—Ferrari emphasized the importance of showcasing the women's race fully to promote gender equality and boost women's sports.

Ferrari recognized that, although the Tour de France Femmes is still young in its fifth edition, it is gaining momentum, as evidenced by over 25 million viewers tuning in last year. She stressed the need for the race to develop a sustainable economic model to support its long-term growth. This year's edition expanded to cover more than 1175 kilometers, including significant climbs like Mont Ventoux, reflecting an evolution in the race's format.

Highlighting the broader significance, Ferrari remarked on the increasing enthusiasm for female cyclists and the role the event plays in inspiring young female athletes. She underlined that the race must find its own identity rather than merely replicating the men's Tour de France format. Her vision is for women's cycling events, starting with full television coverage of all stages, to receive the same attention and support as men's competitions.

In sum, Ferrari's advocacy marks a significant push towards equal media representation and long-term viability for women's cycling in France.