What is the first women's cycling competition?

For several years now, women's cycling competitions have been expanding internationally. But do you know when the very first women's world cycling event was born? Which lady was crowned the historic world champion? Who clinched the first Olympic gold medal? Ekoï invites you to dive into the heart of history...

The Women's World Cycling Championship in 1958

The late 60s marked a real turning point in women's cycling. It was in 1958 that the best female riders were able to compete on the road for the first time at the highest international level. Thanks to the mobilisation of national federations, the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) finally agreed to organise a Women's World Championship.

Thus, the very first edition of the Women's World Cycling Championship took place in France, in Reims. A major event that the young Luxembourgish cyclist Elsy Jacobs, at the age of 25, did not want to miss for anything in the world. At the end of the race on the Gueux motor racing circuit, the Grand Duchess of the little queen became the first world champion in history! An incredible performance that propelled her career.

2021 celebrates the 61st edition since that unforgettable victory. In 1994, a time trial event was added to the World Championships.

The Beginnings of a Women's Tour de France in 1955

Many women's cycling competitions took place well before the world championships, on a regional or national scale.

Notably in France with the creation of a unique edition of the first Tour de France dedicated to women, driven by journalist Jean Leulliot. In 1955, the stage race that revealed Lily Herse brought together 41 participants. The Manx cyclist Millie Robinson won the event, which consisted of 5 stages from Rambouillet to Mantes.

This aborted attempt would rise from its ashes almost thirty years later with the Women's Tour de France, later transformed into the Tour de la CEE, then the Grande Boucle Féminine Internationale (formerly Women's Cycling Tour), and finally the Tour de France Femmes with Zwift planned for 2022.

The 1st Women's Road Cycling Competition at the Olympics

Twenty-six years after Elsy Jacobs' world title, the 1984 Summer Olympics hosted the first women's road cycling event. This was nearly a century after the introduction of men's cycling.

Unlike men who also compete in teams, the women's Olympic program includes only one individual road race. This was complemented by an individual time trial in 1996.

Women's cycling is a vast and fascinating subject! Ekoï invites you to learn more: do you know why the Route de France no longer exists? Do you know the emblematic female figures of cycling from yesterday and today?