Van Vleuten: I don't see one-day La Course as a step backwards

This year's La Course champion, Annemiek van Vleuten, has welcomed the plans for the 2018 edition of the women's race organised by the Tour de France, which has been scaled back to a one-day race in the Alps. Though the Dutchwoman would like to see it become a multi-day event in the future, she believes the continuing push for the development of women's cycling need not entail a fixation on the Tour.

Thank you for reading 5 articles in the past 30 days*

Join now for unlimited access

Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1

*Read any 5 articles for free in each 30-day period, this automatically resets

After your trial you will be billed £4.99 $7.99 €5.99 per month, cancel anytime. Or sign up for one year for just £49 $79 €59

Join now for unlimited access

Try your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1

Patrick Fletcher

Patrick is an NCTJ-trained journalist, and former deputy editor of Cyclingnews, who has seven years’ experience covering professional cycling. He has a modern languages degree from Durham University and has been able to put it to some use in what is a multi-lingual sport, with a particular focus on French and Spanish-speaking riders. Away from cycling, Patrick spends most of his time playing or watching other forms of sport - football, tennis, trail running, darts, to name a few, but he draws the line at rugby.