The women's
Tour de France and an event that visits the Alps for a few days at
the start of August. The stages are no easier than the men's event
and take in the climbs in the high Alps.
This is a
great race to follow as the crowds are a lot smaller than the men's
event. It's possible to chat to the competitors as well at the start
and finish of the stages.
2003
Grande Boucle Féminine - Depart from Vif
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Race leader Joane Somarriba-Arola (Bizkaia Panda Spiuk Sabecco). |
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Australian
rider, Helen Kelly (Team S.A.T.S) in Vif. |
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The
Russian Zoulfia Zabirova (Road Runner Guerciotti) before the depart
in Vif. |
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German
Judith Arndt (Nürnberger Versicherung) before the start. |
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The
World champion, Swede Susanne Ljungskog (Bik.Powerplate) in Vif. |
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Susanne
Ljungskog (Bik.Powerplate) on the podium in Vif. |
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Zoulfia
Zabirova (Road Runner Guerciotti) warms up on the little roads
in Vif. |
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Joane
Somarriba-Arola (Bizkaia Panda Spiuk Sabecco) warms up with her
teammates in Vif. |
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The
riders line up in the pretty French village of Vif. |
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Susanne
Ljungskog (Bik.Powerplate) contemplates the day ahead at the start
in Vif. |
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Joane
Somarriba-Arola (Bizkaia Panda Spiuk Sabecco) rolls out from Vif. |
2002
Stage 6 - August 9: Lyon - Villard de Lans, 125.4km
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Russian
Zoulfia Zabirova on her way to victory in stage six. |
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Kimberly
Bruckner attacks Bogumila Matusiak with 600 metres to go. |
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Madeleine
Lindberg powers up the final climb. |
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Leontien
Van Moorsel (Farm Frites-Hartol) in the combination leader's jersey.
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2002
- Stage 7 - August 10: Aix les Bains - Courchevel, 134 km
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The
view over the stage finish in Courchevel. |
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Edita
Pucinskaite (Figurella Dream Team) on her way to victory. |
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Zinaida
Stahurskaia (USC Chirio) and Joane Somarriba Arrola (Deia Pragma
Colnago) attempt to bridge the gap to Pucinskaite. |
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Susanne
Ljungskog (Vlaanderen-T Interim) climbs to fifth on the stage
to Courchevel. |
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Nicole
Brandli (Acca Due) chases Susanne Ljungskog, and would overtake
her before the finish to place fourth on the stage. |
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Edita
Pucinskaite (Figurella Dream Team) on the podium after winning
the stage. Pucinskaite moved to 3rd overall. |
2002
- Stage 8 - August 11: Courchevel - Vaujany, 113.6 km
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Valentina
Polkhanova on her way to the stage victory. |
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Wintry conditions for the chase group and the race leader. |
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Susanne
Ljungskog rides to fifth place on the stage. |
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Jolanta
Polikeviciute cycles past the devil's bicycle. |
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