Marianne Vos for stages and Riejanne Markus for GC; Visma | Lease a Bike have huge expectations for the upcoming Tour de France Femmes

Team Visma | Lease a Bike is on the eve of its third Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift. The 2024 edition promises to be special in many ways. Even more special for all the Dutch teams and ladies at the start with Grand Départ in Rotterdam.

Already 37 years old, Marianne Vos shows no signs of aging with seven big victories and Olympic silver to her name in 2024, as she heads off to her third Tour participation. This time will be even more special since the women's version of the legendary Grande Boucle will have start in Netherlands next Monday.

"Now that the start is in the Netherlands, it feels a bit different than usual. I'm very curious about the atmosphere in the Netherlands. Of course, it gives something extra to the Dutch riders and teams. The Tour is the biggest race there is, so you always do everything to appear in the best possible shape. I'm going to try to go for a stage win again," Vos promises in press communication.

Her teammate Riejanne Markus was a bit sour after no call-up for the Olympic Games despite Ellen van Dijke's ankle fracture hindering her preparation. The Dutch time trial champion doesn't let that get underneath her skin and instead aims for good GC run at the Tour. With 2nd place from Vuelta Espana Femenina in May, she can certainly aim high.

"I'm aiming for a good overall classification," Markus asserts. "I haven't finished in the top ten in the Tour yet. I hope to achieve that this year. I've secretly circled the time trial on day two in red. It's a very nice course that should suit me well. Additionally, the stages in the final weekend have caught my attention."

The final stage of the Tour finishes on Alpe d’Huez. A special moment for many of the ladies at the start. Inculding the experienced Vos: "The finish on Alpe d’Huez will be very special. I only know that climb from TV."

Markus recently rode up Alpe d’Huez for the first time. "That was with my sister during a training camp. It's a beautiful mountain. I hope to secure a top ten overall classification for the first time in my life that day."

Riejanne Markus
Marianne Vos
Anna Henderson
Fem van Empel
Femke de Vries
Sophie von Berswordt
Linda Riedmann