“The Tour de France Women is alive” – ​​Annemiek van Vleuten wants more events like the Tour after the success of 2022

Annemiek van Vleuten says the Women’s Tour de France is “alive” after winning the event atop the Super Planche des Belles Filles.

Van Vleuten says she got “goosebumps” as she approached the finish line.

“Incredible to win at La Planche with so many people,” said the Dutchwoman in her podium speech.

“The Women’s Tour is alive. It’s been fantastic all week.

“Thank you very much to the organizers for putting this back on the calendar.

“It was very well organized and the audience made it even more special and everyone is watching on TV.

“I had goosebumps riding here in yellow. It’s really special and I’m sure it’s the start of many years of Tour de France Women.”

Van Vleuten says it’s a “milestone” moment in her career to win the first Women’s Tour de France and hopes the race will continue to grow.

“It was not an easy stage or week,” she said in her post-race interview.

“It’s been a great, big roller coaster and even today it wasn’t easy. To finish here in yellow solo is the best way.

“I’m super proud to be the first winner of the Women’s Tour de France. To have it back on the calendar and then the first woman to win it in this new version. I hope it’s a great start for more and I hope it can become a bigger event.

“It’s an important step to win this first version and I hope we will have many more events like this.

“Now everything can sink in and finally we can really enjoy it. Yesterday was an amazing day but I still want to stay focused, I didn’t want to celebrate already.

“I can finally just eat ice cream and pizza tonight and party.

“Sometimes with my teammates we don’t take enough time to celebrate. Tonight I can celebrate without thinking about tomorrow.”

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