The twelve Australian riders ready to conquer the Tour de Femmes avec Zwift 2023
The second edition of the Tour de France avec Zwift (TdFFaZ) starts on 23 July 2023, the same day as the men's event comes to an end.
The eight-stage race has twelve Australian riders who will make their mark on the biggest cycling stage in the world.
On the list is Grace Brown for team FDJ-SUEZ, who has had an exceptional start to the season after winning the first WorldTour edition of the women’s Santos Tour Down Under in January. Brown went on to win the Grand Prix du Morbihan Femmes followed by the Bretagne Ladies Tour CERATIZIT in May.
Jayco AlUla team’s selection includes an impressive four Australian riders, three of which are making their TdFFaZ debut. Alexandra Many will be racing in her second Tour de Femmes avec Zwift where she aims to fight for top results while supporting the teams lead rider Ane Santesteban. Alongside her will be Amber Pate, Jessica Allen and Georgie Howe. Howe is the newest addition to the Jayco AlUla team and has her eyes set on the winning the 22.6km time trial.
Aussie duo Amanda Spratt and Lauretta Hanson will represent the country in the Lidl – Trek team. The three-time Santos Tour Down Under winner Amanda Spratt did not finish in the 2022 race after a crash in stage 2 left her with injuries that forced her to abandon the race. Alongside her will be Lauretta Hanson who will make her Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift debut.
Sydney born Elizabeth (Lizzie) Stannard is the newest edition to team Israel Premier Tech Roland which she joined in April this year. Known for her climbing abilities, Lizzie has had a busy year racing in the Vuelta a Burgos Feminas in May/June, followed by the Giro d’Italia Donne in July before making her debut at the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift.
Team Cofidis will also have an Aussie duo in their team, with Rachael Neylan and Josie Talbot racing in the French team. Neylan will make her second and final appearance at the TdFFaZ after announcing her retirement at the end of the 2023 season. Alongside her will be Josie Talbot who will make her TdFFaZ debut.
Danielle de Fancesco will line up for team Arkéa Pro Cycling Team after racing for the now folded Zaaf Cycling Team at the Santos Tour Down Under in January. Finishing sixth in the general classification, de Fancesco’s talent caught the attention of the French cycling team who will now take her into her first Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift.
Sarah Roy will line up for team Canyon//SRAM Racing and will make her Tour de Femmes avec Zwift debut in her tenth year in the pro peloton.
The Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift promises to be an exhilarating showcase of women’s cycling, and these fourteen Australian cyclists are primed to take on the challenge with determination and grit.
Fans across Australia will be rallying behind the riders as they push their limits, overcome challenges, and strive for glory in one of the most prestigious sporting events on the planet.
The Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift is from 23 to 30 July. The race can be followed on Twitter with #TDFF2023 and #WatchTheFemmes.
