Zwift is delighted to announce that we are the presenting partner of the Paris-Roubaix Femmes avec Zwift. At Zwift, we’re committed to elevating women’s cycling, and we’re in it for the long haul.
We’ve signed on for a four-year title sponsorship of the Paris-Roubaix Femmes avec Zwift, the most iconic one-day race in cycling, as well as the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift, the biggest stage race. Zwift is investing in the future of women’s cycling, championing parity and paving the way for the next generation of heroes. We are expanding our significant investment in the women’s peloton and partners with one of the most exciting and iconic one-day road races, nicknamed the “Helll of the North,” set to kick off on April 16, 2022.
As part of our commitment to pave the way for the next generation of heroes, we are shaking things up with the #NEWRULES Campaign. #NEWRULES will help pave the way to a brighter future., by focusing on building stronger, more inclusive days to come. To kick it all off, here are our first #NEWRULES:
WATCH THE FEMMES
With more action that you can imagine, women’s racing is all out. The more we watch, the more women win.
ALWAYS KEEP IT FUN
Big personalities, endless attacks, and camaraderie that feels like family.
RETHINK WHAT PRO CYCLING LOOKS LIKE
Bike racing is evolving in real time. Watch it from the front row.
RIDE LIKE THE ENTIRE SPORT DEPENDS ON IT
Because it does. Cycling will never be the same.
THE FINISH LINE IS JUST THE BEGINNING
Today’s stage winners will inspire tomorrow’s champions.
Looking for more info on how to join the #NEWRULES campaign? You can learn more on our Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift main page zwift.com/watchthefemmes or Support Hub FAQ.
Want to learn more about Paris-Roubaix avec Zwift? We’ve got you covered.
How is a one-day “Classic” like Paris-Roubaix Femmes avec Zwift different from a stage race like Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift?
Both are chess matches on wheels. In one-day races, there’s only one day of racing and one prize up for grabs. The legendary “Classics” are called that because they have the longest histories in the sport, and run on the most challenging courses.
In a multi-day stage race, teams aim to win specific stages, or play the long game over many days and fight for the overall title. There are additional prizes for the best climber, best sprinter, and best young rider.
How is Paris-Roubaix Femmes avec Zwift different from other Spring Classics?
Imagine racing a skinny-tired road bike over stretches of ancient granite cobblestones while fighting to control a bike doing its best to shake itself (and you) apart. The faster you can push a big gear, the less those cobbles hurt. A slick, powdery dust covers these stones when it’s dry, but if it’s been raining, it’s like mud on ice!
Paris-Roubaix Femmes avec Zwift is called the “Hell of the North’’ because its cobblestone sectors in Northern France are the roughest of the cobbled classics. The pancake-flat course leads to the faster average speeds than the hillier Spring Classics like the Tour of Flanders, Liege-Bastogne-Liege, or the Amstel Gold race.
What qualities will the rider need to do well on a punishing, yet flat cobbled parcours like this?
The distance and difficulty of the course rewards well-rounded riders who can sustain high power for extended periods of time, like time trial specialists. But riders will need handling skills to make it through, too, as we saw last year. Only the most resilient riders will finish, much less win. And even then, a little bit of luck always helps!
Why is Paris-Roubaix Femmes avec Zwift especially unpredictable?
While teams will ride in support of designated captains, the women’s peloton has a deep pool of riders who can win on any given day. On a brutal course where day-ending flat tires, broken wheels and crashes can strike anyone at any time—an underdog might emerge as champion.
At Zwift, we are so excited to be a partner in the evolution of Women’s Pro Cycling. Stay tuned for more awesome content and chances to win awesome swag during Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift.
The women actually race their bikes where the world tour men in large see it as another faff obligation they have to do.
