Sweat, Grit, and The Pandemic: How The Women’s Tour de France Was Born
The Lead
Audible
3.7 • 2.1K Ratings
🗓️ 27 July 2022
⏱️ 34 minutes
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Summary
The Tour de France wrapped up in Paris this past Sunday, along the famous Champs-Elysées. And on that very same day, on that very same road, something historic happened -- a Women's Tour de France began. Today, reporter Maggie Mertens explains why it took nearly 120 years for the world's most famous cycling competition to finally offer a truly professional women’s stage race, and how it was born from the sweat and determination of many women – with a big assist from an online game company. Then, South African pro cyclist Ashleigh Moolman-Pasio joins us from France, where she is currently competing in the Tour, and is fresh off a podium finish.
Read Maggie Mertens's full story about the history of the Women's Tour de France.
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Transcript
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| 0:09.0 | Drilla Words is back for another season exclusively on Amazon Music. |
| 0:14.0 | We asked people to bring in three words of meaning and significance to their lives. |
| 0:19.0 | We used that as a springboard for conversation. |
| 0:21.0 | And then at the end of the show, we asked them for a word that they'd be happy never to hear again. |
| 0:26.0 | So that's Drilla Words with made John Bishop and Tony Pitts listen to it every Friday exclusively on Amazon Music. |
| 0:41.0 | And Sunday, the Tour de France wrapped up in Paris along the famous Champs-Elysées. |
| 0:46.0 | And on that very same day, on that very same road, something historic happened. |
| 0:51.0 | A women's Tour de France began. |
| 0:53.0 | The women's Tour de France is finally here. |
| 0:56.0 | 81.6 kilometers awaiting the riders rolling out from the Eiffel Tower, linking up with the famous Champs-Elysées circuit for 12 laps. |
| 1:05.0 | Today, reporter Maggie Merton explains why it took nearly 120 years for the world's most famous cycling competition to finally offer a truly professional women's stage race. |
| 1:17.0 | And how it came about thanks to the sweat and determination of many women with a little help from an online game company. |
| 1:24.0 | If you've lived with me, I think it seemed a little ironic to be this very futuristic, weird company in comparison to the tour organizers. |
| 1:35.0 | This company has been around since the early 1900s. |
| 1:39.0 | Then, South African pro cyclist Ashley Moulman-Pascio joins us from France, where she is currently competing in this year's tour. |
| 1:46.0 | To talk about the rise of women's cycling and what was going through her head when this year's Tour de France Femme began. |
| 1:52.0 | Finally, after all those years of talking out about it in the media and really pushing for change to finally be there on the start line. |
| 2:00.0 | So, to see that change actually happened within my career was really really special. |
| 2:07.0 | From Wondery, I'm Anders Keltow. It's Wednesday, July 27th, and this is The Lead. |
| 2:13.0 | Maggie Mertens, welcome to The Lead. And has anyone ever told you that you have a great cycling name? |
| 2:20.0 | No. I'm being frowning me. |
... |
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