A few months after the 2024 edition of International Women's Tour of the Pyreneestook place the evening of the partners of this event, which celebrated its 3rd edition this year. The opportunity for Cyclism’Actu to meet Elisabeth Chevannedirector of the race, who was able to recover after the difficulties encountered in 2023. During this interview, the former runner addressed numerous subjects, with a look back at the 2024 edition, the ambitions for 2025, the development of his ordeal, the election to the presidency of the FFC…
Video – Élisabeth Chevanne at the microphone of Cyclism'Actu
“It makes you want to continue”
A few months after the 3rd edition of the International Women's Tour of the Pyrenees, what is the outcome?
Yes, frankly, it’s a great success. It's really a sporting success, with the victory of Usoa Ostolaza from Laboral Kutxa, who won the National Championships in Spain and then, who gained confidence in herself. There was suspense until the end of this event, and as a result it was truly a sporting success. In terms of security, it was also a success. In fact, we really succeeded in our challenge, we received a ten out of ten from the president of the jury. So we were delighted, everything went very well. We also had some really magnificent TV images too.
I already have a lot of teams who have signed to return in 2025… so that makes me want to continue. I also signed with France 3 Région, which will broadcast the 2025 edition, in addition to Eurosport. All this makes you want to leave again, even if it's not easy. Because, with the government's announcements, we realize that communities are really having difficulties and it's a real everyday fight. You have to fight to try to get the stopover towns. For the moment, I have three out of six who have validated and a fourth who almost said yes.
“WorldTour teams who have already confirmed their participation to me”
So we will remain on a 3-stage format in 2025?
That's it. It will take place from June 13 to 15, still in class .1. So, in 3 days, 3 stages, through the Pyrénées-Atlantiques and the Hautes-Pyrénées.
A few tips on the teams that will be present?
I had seen certain teams on the Tour de France Femmes with Zwift, who had only heard good things about the International Women's Tour of the Pyrenees, and who had already announced their arrival to me. I don't want to reveal everything, but there are WorldTour teams who have already confirmed their participation to me, just like ProTeam teams. All French teams will be present.
“I hope that Michel Callot will be able to continue”
This is one of the topics of the moment, French Cycling which is going badly and the election for the presidency of the FFC which is coming, what is your opinion on this?
I hope that Michel Callot will be able to continue. I trust him and I know that he trusts me, because I have a small mission at the federation, to develop pro women's cycling. I hope to be able to continue working with him to develop that. He's someone you can trust, he's still shown some great things. It's not easy, because when we see the difficulties that all the clubs encounter in terms of support and even in finding partners, communities… It's difficult for everyone, including for the organizers. We move on after the Olympic Games, which were a real success, we thought it was going to be easier, but in fact everyone has budget restrictions. And as a result, it’s difficult for amateur clubs too.
