Fans of the Tour de France Femmes are expressing significant frustration over the limited live broadcast coverage of this year’s race, with only three out of nine stages being shown from start to finish. This lack of comprehensive viewing options comes despite a reported 40 percent increase in viewership and growing excitement around the women’s cycling event. Commentators, riders, and advocacy groups are calling for full live coverage, arguing that partial broadcasts fail to capture the full drama and tactical nuances of the competition.

Mounting Discontent Over Incomplete Coverage

The 2024 Tour de France Femmes has delivered a thrilling spectacle, characterized by close competition and compelling racing. With the top three riders separated by a mere 39 seconds and multiple stage winners emerging, the event has proven its capacity for drama. However, the viewing experience for many fans has been marred by the inability to watch entire stages live. Only three of the nine stages have been broadcast from start to finish, leaving fans to miss crucial moments and tactical battles.

This issue has drawn sharp criticism from The Cyclists’ Alliance (TCA), a union representing women cyclists. Grace Brown, president of TCA and a former world and Olympic champion, stated on social media that “For the biggest race in women’s cycling, partial coverage is no longer enough.” The union emphasized that fans are missing out on key attacks, strategic maneuvers, and potentially race-defining incidents.

Commentators Voice Strong Frustration

Broadcaster Orla Chennaoui, who covers the race for TNT Sports in the UK, articulated her strong dissatisfaction. In an Instagram video, she expressed being “really annoyed now. I’m getting really, really pissed off.” Chennaoui highlighted the immense excitement and interest surrounding the Tour de France Femmes, noting the surge in social media engagement, podcasts, and articles dedicated to the event. Despite this clear evidence of public interest, she questioned the organizers, Amaury Sport Organisation (ASO), about the continued lack of full live TV coverage.

Chennaoui asserted that broadcasters are eager to show the entire race, suggesting that the decision to limit coverage lies with the organizers. She contrasted the situation with the men’s Tour de France, where all 21 stages were broadcast live in their entirety. Furthermore, she pointed out that on the same day a stage of the women’s race was only partially shown, the men’s Tour de Pologne race was broadcast in full.

Viewing Figures and Broadcast Hours Increase

While the live broadcast hours have increased to 27 hours and 40 minutes this year—an increase of over five hours from 2023—this has not translated into complete stage coverage. France Télévisions data indicates a significant rise in viewership, with 25.7 million viewers tuning in this year, a 40 percent jump from 18.3 million in the previous year. The TCA cited these figures, stating, “The demand is undeniable. We are asking for the coverage to catch up.”

The consequences of missed coverage have been tangible. During stage three, a pivotal 88km breakaway attack by Norway’s Sigrid Haugset was not captured by live cameras because they had not yet started rolling. Similarly, an early crash involving pre-race favorite Demi Vollering, which could have significant implications for the rest of the race, also occurred before the cameras were fully operational.

Impact on Race Narrative and Fan Experience

Lizzie Deignan, a former world champion, shared her disappointment on the “For The Love Of Cycling” podcast, noting that “There’s no substitute for footage. You can’t get a feel of the race, of the tension, of the atmosphere.” She described the experience of trying to follow stage three from home as reminiscent of “the old days” of cycling, where fans had to constantly refresh news feeds to piece together race events.

The Tour de France Femmes is reportedly being broadcast in 190 countries, including by SBS in Australia. However, broadcast partners like SBS can only show the footage provided to them by the host broadcaster. France Télévisions is responsible for the production and distribution of the broadcast on behalf of ASO, the same organization that manages the men’s Tour de France and other major cycling events like Liège-Bastogne-Liège and Paris-Roubaix.

Past Criticisms and Future Prospects

ASO has faced similar criticism regarding its coverage of women’s events previously. The women’s edition of Paris-Roubaix earlier this year received criticism for showing less than 90 minutes of the three-and-a-half-hour race. Chennaoui described that event as a “step backwards” and a “disservice to women’s racing.”

Despite the current frustrations, there are indications of progress. Race director Marion Rousse acknowledged the criticism and stated that the organization is giving “serious consideration to broadcasting all the stages in full in the future.” She expressed that “Things are moving in the right direction” and that the move towards full broadcast coverage is being actively considered due to the positive audience figures.

Conclusion: A Call for Parity in Coverage

The Tour de France Femmes is undeniably growing in popularity and delivering compelling athletic performances. The current disparity in live broadcast coverage compared to its male counterpart and the missed moments in key stages highlight a significant gap that needs to be addressed. As viewership numbers climb and the excitement builds, fans, riders, and broadcasters alike are advocating for complete live coverage to ensure the sport receives the platform it deserves and to allow fans to fully engage with every aspect of this premier women’s cycling event.