Tourmalet stages "makes me excited" defending champion Annemiek van Vleuten says on Tour de France Femmes

The Tour de France Femmes' return this summer was a very big hit amongst cycling fans, and today in Paris the 2023 route has been fully revealed, including the profiles for all 8 stages. Annemiek van Vleuten, the defending champion, has had a lot to say about it.

“I'm happy to see well-known climbs in next year's route, in the stage with the finish on the Tourmalet. That makes me excited," van Vleuten told reporters after the end of the presentation, where several of her rivals and other riders of the pro peloton were present. It's important to have a finish on a climb with a name like that, it gives the course a little more cachet."

She is referring to the Col du Tourmalet, the most used climb of the men's Tour de France history, which will not also be part of the women's event history. It will be the queen stage and without a doubt the hardest, with the riders tackling the Col d'Aspin before the summit finish aswell. Van Vleuten consolidated her GC win last year in the mountains, and knows where to focus.

It wasn't the only main point to the World Champion however. "I am also happy to see that there is a time trial in this Tour de France. Last year we had a great start and this year they made some adjustments to the course. I think they did that well," she commented. The race will also feature at least two other hilly stages that should see some differences on the road.

“I see possibilities for the uphill finish, but there are more very treacherous stages," van Vleuten warns. "I am very happy that there is no gravel in the route. I think there is a good balance in the course. In the stages leading up to the mountain stage, I have to stay focused," she said, admitting that she will be racing and hoping for a win on her final season as a pro.

“Winning the first Tour de France Femmes was the most special thing I've done in my career. Mainly because of the impact it had. Cycling enthusiasts, but also non-enthusiasts have seen it. That made me very proud. It was a great start," she concluded.