Ten Women Who Made History in Women’s Cycling

Do you know the leading figures of women’s cycling? Many women have earned admiration over the decades by striving to make their mark in a world dominated by men. These daring and audacious pioneers paved the way for women to take up cycling and led to the birth of major women’s cycling competitions. Let’s take a closer look at these past and present women who have made history!

Hélène Dutrieu, the Human Arrow

Born in 1877 and passed away in 1961, Hélène Dutrieu began cycling at the age of 14, following in the footsteps of her brother Eugène Dutrieu. This passionate cyclist competed in the first women's races at the Tournai velodrome in 1895 where she smashed the hour record on the track.

Two years later, in 1897, the Belgian won the World Sprint Championship organised in Ostend. From then on, she was nicknamed the Human Arrow and repeated her feat the following year.

In 1898, she claimed the European Grand Prix and the 12-day race in London. Subsequently, she performed spectacular acrobatic shows on a bike, as well as on a motorcycle and in a car. Also an accomplished aviatrix, Hélène Dutrieu received the Legion of Honor in 1913.

Annie Londonderry, the Adventurer

While Hélène Dutrieu was making a name for herself on the track in 1895, feminist Annie Cohen Kopchovsky embarked on a completely different journey across the Atlantic the previous year.

This courageous American was none other than the first woman to cycle around the world. She intended to prove that women are just as capable, daring, and deserving as men. Mission accomplished: Annie Londonderry, named after the company that sponsored her, completed her mad journey of about 15,000 km in fifteen months!

Tillie Anderson, the Accomplished Cyclist

American-Swedish racer born in 1875, Tillie Anderson etched her name in the history of cycling. During her career, this fervent advocate of cycling is said to have won 123 out of the 130 races she competed in.

A track and road enthusiast, she was voted the best cyclist in the world by the League of American Wheelmen. She was just 20 years old at the time.

Thirty-five years after her death in 1965, Tillie Anderson was inducted into the United States Bicycling Hall of Fame.

Alfonsina Strada, the Giro Racer

To date, Alfonsina Strada is the only woman in the world to have participated in one of the three Grand Tours reserved for men!

Born in 1891, the Italian racer started cycling early on her father's bike and then on her own. This valiant athlete claimed all the titles in the women's competitions she pedaled in. She even finished about thirty races ahead of male cyclists!

Holder of the women's hour record in 1911, she then participated twice in the prestigious Tour of Lombardy, one of the five Monuments.

Her most notable performance, which marks her entry into the pantheon of women's cycling, is undoubtedly her official participation in the Giro in 1924. The heroine Alfonsina Strada joined the men's peloton and surprised everyone by completing the 3,610 km of the illustrious stage race.

Jeannie Longo, the Record Holder

An iconic figure in French women's cycling, Jeannie Longo has influenced entire generations. Originally from Annecy, the former skier is simply the most decorated rider among all French athletes!

The 1996 Olympic champion has won no less than 59 French championships and 13 world championships. She also triumphed three times in the women’s Tour de France.

Her impressive record is matched by her sporting longevity. As she celebrated her 62nd birthday in 2020, the incredible Jeannie Longo continued her career by winning a new title, the Paca champion in the individual time trial.

Jeannie Longo is a true legend!

Marianne Martin, the Fighter

This great lady gave the public a real demonstration of courage and perseverance in 1984. That year, Marianne Martin emerged victorious in the very first women’s Tour de France, organised in 18 stages.

An extraordinary feat considering that the American cyclist, who was 27 at the time, had learned of her anemia just a few months before the race.

Beryl Burton, the British Champion

Born in 1937, Beryl Burton was a pioneer of cycling in the United Kingdom. She competed in no less than 122 national championships on road and track during her 29-year career. The Lady on the Bicycle took first place 73 times!

While Beryl Burton made her mark on British cycling history, she also shone internationally. The individual pursuit specialist excelled in this discipline with 12 medals won at the World Track Championships, including 5 gold victories. She was also crowned world road champion twice, in 1960 and 1967.

Among her unmatched achievements is the men’s world record for 12 hours which she set in 1967 by covering a distance of 277.25 miles, or 443.6 km.

Anne-Caroline Chausson, the Queen of Downhill

The Frenchwoman born in 1977 is none other than the greatest downhill rider in history! Originally from Dijon, she became French, European, and world champion in BMX in her age category at just 15 years old.

She then turned to mountain biking, where she dominated the discipline with 13 world championship titles! In 2007, the mountain biker returned to BMX with a single goal in mind: to win a medal at the Beijing Olympics. The following year, her dream came true: the rider was crowned with the first-ever Olympic title in BMX.

Anne-Caroline Chausson has been a member of the Mountain Bike Hall of Fame since 2009.

Annemiek van Vleuten, at the Highest Level

Currently a professional rider with the Movistar team, Annemiek van Vleuten shines in the international women’s peloton.

Born in 1982, the Dutch cyclist boasts numerous successes, from classics to the most renowned stage races. Double winner of the women’s version of the Giro d’Italia in 2018 and 2019, Annemiek van Vleuten has also won the Tour of Flanders and the Route de France Féminine.

She is also a world road champion (2019) and time trial champion (2017 and 2018), and holds national titles in both disciplines. In 2020, she won gold in the Olympic time trial!

Pauline Ferrand-Prévot, the Versatile Cyclist

The 29-year-old Frenchwoman is fearless. Thirsty for adventure and sport, she practices road cycling, cyclo-cross, and mountain biking.

Pauline Ferrand-Prévot is no stranger to victories! Her multidisciplinary record includes 27 gold medals at the French championships and a world road championship (2014), the first won by a Frenchwoman since 1995, when Jeannie Longo was crowned. Pauline has also claimed world titles in mixed relay mountain biking, marathon mountain biking, cross-country, and cyclo-cross.

Since 2021, Pauline has been racing for Team BMC MTB Racing.

Now you know some of the big names in women’s cycling! How about learning more about the Grande Boucle Féminine Internationale or the Women’s Road Cycling World Championship? Do you know what the first women’s cycling competition was?