The Grande Boucle, formerly known as the Tour Cycliste Féminin, or simply Tour Féminin, is one of the Grand Tour

Grand Tour (cycling)

In road bicycle racing, a Grand Tour refers to one of the three major European professional cycling stage races:* Tour de France – Tour of France , held in July* Giro d'Italia – Tour of Italy , held in May...

s of women's cycle races

Road bicycle racing

Road bicycle racing is a bicycle racing sport held on roads, using racing bicycles. The term "road racing" is usually applied to events where competing riders start simultaneously with the winner being the first to the line at the end of the course .Historically, the most...

. Grande Boucle means "great loop" and describes the individual stage

Stage (bicycle race)

In sports, a stage, or leg, or heat, is a unit of a race which has been divided in several parts for the reason such as length of the distance to be covered, as in a multi-day event. Usually, such a race consists of "ordinary" stages, but sometimes stages are held as an individual time trial or a...

s which form a circuit around France

France

The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...

.

The organizers had to scramble for sponsorship nearly every year and were forced to schedule stages in cities which contributed money, regardless of their location. As a result, there were long transfers between the finish of one stage and the start of the next. Another problem in the mid-1990s involved the name. Until 1997, it was the Tour Cycliste Féminin, billed as the Women's Tour de France or the Women's Tour. The organizers of the men's Tour de France

Tour de France

The Tour de France is an annual bicycle race held in France and nearby countries. First staged in 1903, the race covers more than and lasts three weeks. As the best known and most prestigious of cycling's three "Grand Tours", the Tour de France attracts riders and teams from around the world. The...

 said it was a breach of trademark and in 1998 the name changed.

In 2004, the race could not be held because of organisational difficulties. It returned, smaller, in 2005 and 2006. The previous tours were 10 to 15 stages; later ones had five and stayed in one region. The race was also rated lower

UCI race classifications

The Union Cycliste Internationale , the world's governing body in the sport of bicycle racing, classifies races according to a rating scale....

 by the UCI

Union Cycliste Internationale

Union Cycliste Internationale is the world governing body for sports cycling and oversees international competitive cycling events. The UCI is based in Aigle, Switzerland....

, and had a reduced field. In 2008, the race was six days and seven stages. However, in 2009 the race was only four days long with only 66 riders, after a planned race start and three stages in Britain

United Kingdom

The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...

 fell through, leading winner Emma Pooley

Emma Pooley

Emma Jane Pooley is an English professional cyclist and Olympic silver medallist currently riding for . Pooley was the 2010 World Time Trial Champion and is a former British Road Race and Time Trial Champion.-Biography:...

 to joke that the race was "more of a Petite Boucle than Grande." The race was discontinued after 2009. After the subsequent termination of the 10-stage Tour de l'Aude Cycliste Féminin

Tour de l'Aude Cycliste Feminin

The Tour de l'Aude Cycliste Féminin was the longest running UCI event on the women's elite cycle racing calendar. It had been held annually in the Aude region of south-central France since 1985 until its cancellation after the 2010 edition....

 after 2010, the major women's stage race in France would have become the Route de France Féminine -- except that it was also canceled for 2011, leaving France without a major women's stage race for the first time since the mid-1980s.

La Grande Boucle Féminine Medallists

Year	First		Second		Third
1984	Marianne Martin Marianne Martin Marianne Martin is an American road racing cyclist. She won the first Tour de France for women in 1984 , covering the 616-mile course in 29 hours, 39 minutes, and 2 seconds. The race was held in July and had 18 stages...		Heleen Hage Heleen Hage Heleen Hage is a Dutch former road racing cyclist who was active from 1983 to 1989. In her career, she achieved second place overall 1984 Grande Boucle , winning stages 4, 13 and 15...		Deborah Schumway
1985	Maria Canins Maria Canins Maria Canins is an Italian racing cyclist who twice won and came second three times in the Grande Boucle. She rode for Italy at the 1984 and 1988 Summer Olympics.Canins was a cross-country skier from 1969 to 1982...		Jeannie Longo Jeannie Longo Jeannie Longo is a French racing cyclist, multiple French champion and 13 times world champion. Longo is still active in cycling as of 2011 and is widely considered one of the greatest female cyclists of all time...		Cecile Odin Cécile Odin Cécile Odin is a French international cyclist active from 1983-1996. Odin raced in two Olympic Games, Los Angeles 1984 and Seoul 1988, finishing 11th & 28th in the Women's Road Race. She made 3rd place overall in the Women's Tour de France in 1985 and 1994, winning stage 6 in 1994...
1986	Maria Canins Maria Canins Maria Canins is an Italian racing cyclist who twice won and came second three times in the Grande Boucle. She rode for Italy at the 1984 and 1988 Summer Olympics.Canins was a cross-country skier from 1969 to 1982...		Jeannie Longo Jeannie Longo Jeannie Longo is a French racing cyclist, multiple French champion and 13 times world champion. Longo is still active in cycling as of 2011 and is widely considered one of the greatest female cyclists of all time...		Inga Thompson Inga Thompson Inga Thompson is a road bicycle racing professional from Reno, Nevada. She started professional cycling at 20, in 1984. That year she rode the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics road race and finished 21st. Her career ran from 1984 to 1993...
1987	Jeannie Longo Jeannie Longo Jeannie Longo is a French racing cyclist, multiple French champion and 13 times world champion. Longo is still active in cycling as of 2011 and is widely considered one of the greatest female cyclists of all time...		Maria Canins Maria Canins Maria Canins is an Italian racing cyclist who twice won and came second three times in the Grande Boucle. She rode for Italy at the 1984 and 1988 Summer Olympics.Canins was a cross-country skier from 1969 to 1982...		Ute Enzenauer Ute Enzenauer Ute Enzenauer is a former West German road racing cyclist active from 1981 to 1987. Born in Ludwigshafen-Friesenheim, Rheinland-Pfalz, Enzenauer was selected from school at age 9 as a cyclist. She won the West German National Championships in 1979 and 1980. In 1981 she became the youngest World...
1988	Jeannie Longo Jeannie Longo Jeannie Longo is a French racing cyclist, multiple French champion and 13 times world champion. Longo is still active in cycling as of 2011 and is widely considered one of the greatest female cyclists of all time...		Maria Canins Maria Canins Maria Canins is an Italian racing cyclist who twice won and came second three times in the Grande Boucle. She rode for Italy at the 1984 and 1988 Summer Olympics.Canins was a cross-country skier from 1969 to 1982...		Elizabeth Hepple
1989	Jeannie Longo Jeannie Longo Jeannie Longo is a French racing cyclist, multiple French champion and 13 times world champion. Longo is still active in cycling as of 2011 and is widely considered one of the greatest female cyclists of all time...		Maria Canins Maria Canins Maria Canins is an Italian racing cyclist who twice won and came second three times in the Grande Boucle. She rode for Italy at the 1984 and 1988 Summer Olympics.Canins was a cross-country skier from 1969 to 1982...		Inga Thompson Inga Thompson Inga Thompson is a road bicycle racing professional from Reno, Nevada. She started professional cycling at 20, in 1984. That year she rode the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics road race and finished 21st. Her career ran from 1984 to 1993...
1990	Race not held
1991	Race not held
1992	Leontien van Moorsel Leontien van Moorsel Leontine Martha Henrica Petronella van Moorsel is a former Dutch racing cyclist.Van Moorsel started her career in the late 1980s and was soon one of the best cyclists in the world. She won major races both on the track, and on the road...		Jeannie Longo Jeannie Longo Jeannie Longo is a French racing cyclist, multiple French champion and 13 times world champion. Longo is still active in cycling as of 2011 and is widely considered one of the greatest female cyclists of all time...		Heidi Van De Vijver
1993	Leontien van Moorsel Leontien van Moorsel Leontine Martha Henrica Petronella van Moorsel is a former Dutch racing cyclist.Van Moorsel started her career in the late 1980s and was soon one of the best cyclists in the world. She won major races both on the track, and on the road...		Marion Clignet Marion Clignet Marion Clignet is a French former track cyclist. Clignet was diagnosed with epilepsy at the age of 22 and was shunned by the United States Cycling Federation, and she subsequently raced for France.- Palmarès :...		Heidi Van De Vijver
1994	Valentina Polkhanova		Rasa Polikeviciute Rasa Polikeviciute Rasa Polikevičiūtė is a Lithuanian cycle racer. She was one of the first in a long line of Lithuanian cyclists who, together, established Lithuania as one of the powerhouses of women's cycle racing in the 1990s and beyond...		Cecile Odin Cécile Odin Cécile Odin is a French international cyclist active from 1983-1996. Odin raced in two Olympic Games, Los Angeles 1984 and Seoul 1988, finishing 11th & 28th in the Women's Road Race. She made 3rd place overall in the Women's Tour de France in 1985 and 1994, winning stage 6 in 1994...
1995	Fabiana Luperini Fabiana Luperini Fabiana Luperini is an Italian professional cyclist. Luperini has won the Giro d'Italia Femminile a record five times.-Palmarès:1996200020012002200420062008-External links:*...		Jeannie Longo Jeannie Longo Jeannie Longo is a French racing cyclist, multiple French champion and 13 times world champion. Longo is still active in cycling as of 2011 and is widely considered one of the greatest female cyclists of all time...		Luzia Zberg Luzia Zberg Luzia Zberg is a retired female racing cyclist from Switzerland. She represented her native country at the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona, Spain, finishing in 8th place in the women's individual road race...
1996	Fabiana Luperini Fabiana Luperini Fabiana Luperini is an Italian professional cyclist. Luperini has won the Giro d'Italia Femminile a record five times.-Palmarès:1996200020012002200420062008-External links:*...		Rasa Polikeviciute Rasa Polikeviciute Rasa Polikevičiūtė is a Lithuanian cycle racer. She was one of the first in a long line of Lithuanian cyclists who, together, established Lithuania as one of the powerhouses of women's cycle racing in the 1990s and beyond...		Jeannie Longo Jeannie Longo Jeannie Longo is a French racing cyclist, multiple French champion and 13 times world champion. Longo is still active in cycling as of 2011 and is widely considered one of the greatest female cyclists of all time...
1997	Fabiana Luperini Fabiana Luperini Fabiana Luperini is an Italian professional cyclist. Luperini has won the Giro d'Italia Femminile a record five times.-Palmarès:1996200020012002200420062008-External links:*...		Barbara Heeb		Linda Jackson Linda Jackson (cyclist) Linda Jackson is best known as a former Canadian professional bicycle road racer. She is now a coach, having previous experience as an investment banker. Jackson won the bronze medal at the 1996 World Road Racing Championships...
1998	Edita Pučinskaitė Edita Pucinskaite Edita Pučinskaitė is a Lithuanian racing cyclist. For many years, she has been one of the top competitors in women's racing on the international level with a victory in the World Road Race Championships in 1999 and several very high finishes in major tours, World Championship competition and on...		Fabiana Luperini Fabiana Luperini Fabiana Luperini is an Italian professional cyclist. Luperini has won the Giro d'Italia Femminile a record five times.-Palmarès:1996200020012002200420062008-External links:*...		Alessandra Cappellotto Alessandra Cappellotto Alessandra Cappellotto is a retired female racing cyclist from Italy. She represented her native country at two consecutive Summer Olympics: 1996, and 2000. She won the world title in the women's individual road race at the 1997 UCI Road World Championships in San Sebastian, Spain.-References:*...
1999	Diana Žiliūtė Diana Žiliute Diana Žiliūtė is a Lithuanian racing cyclist who dominated the sport in the late 1990s, and continues to be a formidable force in road cycling to this day....		Valentina Polkhanova		Edita Pučinskaitė Edita Pucinskaite Edita Pučinskaitė is a Lithuanian racing cyclist. For many years, she has been one of the top competitors in women's racing on the international level with a victory in the World Road Race Championships in 1999 and several very high finishes in major tours, World Championship competition and on...
2000	Joane Somarriba Joane Somarriba Joane Somarriba Arrola is a former Spanish cyclist.She won the Grande Boucle, at the time the most prestigious stage race for women, in 2000, 2001 and 2003. She also achieved a time trial victory at the 2003 World Championships in Hamilton, Canada...		Edita Pučinskaitė Edita Pucinskaite Edita Pučinskaitė is a Lithuanian racing cyclist. For many years, she has been one of the top competitors in women's racing on the international level with a victory in the World Road Race Championships in 1999 and several very high finishes in major tours, World Championship competition and on...		Geraldine Loewenguth
2001	Joane Somarriba Joane Somarriba Joane Somarriba Arrola is a former Spanish cyclist.She won the Grande Boucle, at the time the most prestigious stage race for women, in 2000, 2001 and 2003. She also achieved a time trial victory at the 2003 World Championships in Hamilton, Canada...		Fabiana Luperini Fabiana Luperini Fabiana Luperini is an Italian professional cyclist. Luperini has won the Giro d'Italia Femminile a record five times.-Palmarès:1996200020012002200420062008-External links:*...		Judith Arndt Judith Arndt Judith Arndt is a German professional cyclist for the T-Mobile Women cycling team. She won the bronze medal in the 3000 m pursuit event at the 1996 Summer Olympics when she was 20...
2002	Zinaida Stahurskaia		Susanne Ljungskog Susanne Ljungskog Susanne Ljungskog is a Swedish cyclist. A four-time Olympian , she won the world road race championship in 2002 and 2003. The same years, she was UCI points champion...		Joane Somarriba Joane Somarriba Joane Somarriba Arrola is a former Spanish cyclist.She won the Grande Boucle, at the time the most prestigious stage race for women, in 2000, 2001 and 2003. She also achieved a time trial victory at the 2003 World Championships in Hamilton, Canada...
2003	Joane Somarriba Joane Somarriba Joane Somarriba Arrola is a former Spanish cyclist.She won the Grande Boucle, at the time the most prestigious stage race for women, in 2000, 2001 and 2003. She also achieved a time trial victory at the 2003 World Championships in Hamilton, Canada...		Nicole Brändli Nicole Brändli Nicole Brändli is a professional cyclist from Switzerland. She's a three time winner of Giro d'Italia Femminile.-Palmarès:...		Judith Arndt Judith Arndt Judith Arndt is a German professional cyclist for the T-Mobile Women cycling team. She won the bronze medal in the 3000 m pursuit event at the 1996 Summer Olympics when she was 20...
2004	Race not held
2005	Priska Doppman		Edwige Pitel		Christiane Soeder Christiane Soeder Christiane Soeder is a German-born Austrian road racing cyclist and former duathlete who now lives in Vienna. She finished 4th in Olympic road race with a time of 3h 32′ 28...
2006	Nicole Cooke Nicole Cooke Nicole Denise Cooke, MBE is a Welsh professional road bicycle racer for the Mario Cipollini - Giordana Team team, and is the current Olympic road race champion.-Early life:...		Maryline Salvetat Maryline Salvetat Maryline Salvetat is a French cyclist born in Castres. She participates in road cycling as well as in cyclo-cross and mountain biking. In 2002, 2004 and 2005 she became French national champion in cyclo-cross...		Tatstsyana Sharakova
2007	Nicole Cooke Nicole Cooke Nicole Denise Cooke, MBE is a Welsh professional road bicycle racer for the Mario Cipollini - Giordana Team team, and is the current Olympic road race champion.-Early life:...		Priska Doppmann Priska Doppmann Priska Doppmann is a Swiss road racing cyclist, born in Cham. She finished 7th in the Women's road race at the 2008 Summer Olympics. Currently, she is a manager for the women's team .-Palmarès:1999...		Emma Pooley Emma Pooley Emma Jane Pooley is an English professional cyclist and Olympic silver medallist currently riding for . Pooley was the 2010 World Time Trial Champion and is a former British Road Race and Time Trial Champion.-Biography:...
2008	Christiane Soeder Christiane Soeder Christiane Soeder is a German-born Austrian road racing cyclist and former duathlete who now lives in Vienna. She finished 4th in Olympic road race with a time of 3h 32′ 28...		Karin Thürig Karin Thürig Karin Thürig is a Swiss professional racing cyclist and triathlete. She is the sister of fellow professional cyclist Andrea Thürig.-Cycling:2001200220032004...		Nicole Cooke Nicole Cooke Nicole Denise Cooke, MBE is a Welsh professional road bicycle racer for the Mario Cipollini - Giordana Team team, and is the current Olympic road race champion.-Early life:...
2009	Emma Pooley Emma Pooley Emma Jane Pooley is an English professional cyclist and Olympic silver medallist currently riding for . Pooley was the 2010 World Time Trial Champion and is a former British Road Race and Time Trial Champion.-Biography:...		Christiane Soeder Christiane Soeder Christiane Soeder is a German-born Austrian road racing cyclist and former duathlete who now lives in Vienna. She finished 4th in Olympic road race with a time of 3h 32′ 28...		Marianne Vos Marianne Vos Marianne Vos, is a Dutch cyclo-cross, road bicycle racer and track racer. After winning a junior European and world championship in road racing, she continued in senior cycling by becoming world champion in cyclo-cross and road racing at the age of 19. Vos added track racing world championships...

External links

• Official website