"It will be a great show for the people in the front of their TV and the crowds on the road" - Marta Cavalli reacts to addition of Alpe d'Huez at 2024 Tour de France Femmes

For the first time in Tour de France Femmes history, the legendary climb of Alpe d'Huez will be an obstacle for the riders to overcome. Ahead of this daunting task, FDJ - Suez's Marta Cavalli is keen to test herself on one of the sport's most iconic mountains.

"For the moment, I don't know about targeting GC because we were waiting until today to discover all the details," the 25-year-old admitted to GCN following the announcement of the route and profiles of the 2024 Tour de France Femmes. "But I think I can target some stage wins because it suits me more in this way at the moment."

"It looks really hard, you can cut the race in two," Cavalli continues. "I think the first part could be really fast, hectic and also dangerous with the wind in a lot of stages. There is also a short TT so it is not really good for climbers."

The climbers will get their chance on the final stage though as Alpe d'Huez looms large over the race. "We have four really long and hard stages. I think ASO pushed a little bit more this year to make it again harder. The stages are really long, everyday more than 150km and elevation with 3,900m is a lot," Cavalli reflects. "So we will spend long days on the bike and it is the best way to give the victory to the best rider in the peloton. I think it is hard but at the same time, it will be a great show for the people in the front of their TV and the crowds on the road."

"The race is growing a lot," Cavalli concludes with a smile. "Every year they choose one iconic climb and it makes an amazing atmosphere and gives us a little bit more motivation to do our best on this climb."