Cycling is constantly praised as a sport accessible to all. Yet professional cycling, as we can easily witness, is dominated by young, athletic, highly trained men.
Last year, the Tour of Qatar organisers decided to practise what they preach by transforming professional cycling in Qatar into a more inclusive event. Professional female cyclists from all over the world came together in Doha for the inaugural Ladies Tour of Qatar.
The Ladies Tour distinguished itself by a number of triumphant and very impressive performances.
Over the course of the three stages, the peloton, displayed its skill and determination. But not only the female cyclists proved to be a revelation. The host country unfurled before them like a terrain designed specifically for the purpose. The ideal climate and propitious landscape provided an additional boost to their performance.
2010 will not only open a second act of this new race, but in recognition of their outstanding performance last year, the organisers have chosen to bestow the honour of inaugurating the Qatar racing season on the Ladies Tour.
The competitors from the fifteen selected teams, will undertake a high-speed tour spanning nearly 300 kilometres adorned by the jewels in Qatar's landscape: the Al Zubarah Castle, the coasts at Al Khor and Doha, the Museum of Islamic Art, and many others.
Christian PRUDHOMME
Director of the Tour de France