The 12 Australians racing the Tour de France Femmes 

Eight debutants are among the 12 Australians set to make their start at the second edition of the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift this Sunday.

Start lists have been finalised this week with a round dozen Aussie women, equalling their counterparts in the men’s Tour de France, confirmed for the eight-stage 956km race from Clermont-Ferrand to Pau.

Read on to find out who will be at the start line.

Grace Brown (FDJ – Suez)

National time trial champion Grace Brown returns for her second Tour de France Femmes.

Brown, who won this year’s Tour Down Under and Bretagne Ladies Tour, will be looking for early opportunities as well as supporting the team’s general classification riders Marta Cavalli and Cecilie Uttrup Ludwig.

Of course, the time trial specialist will have her eyes set on the final stage: the 22km race against the clock will be a good test for the Victorian before she heads to Glasgow to represent the ARA Australian Cycling Team at the World Championships.

Amanda Spratt and Lauretta Hanson (Lidl Trek)

Aussie veteran Amanda Spratt is back for another crack at the Tour de France Femmes after injuries from a crash forced her to abandon last year’s race. She will mainly be supporting GC contender Elisa Longo Borghini, but look for her on Stage 7 when the tour reaches the iconic Col du Tourmalet, where this mountain goat will come into her own.

By her side will be Lauretta Hanson, who is making her well-earned debut at the prestigious French race. Hanson is a workhorse and you will likely see her at the front of the peloton on the flats and positioning her teammates into important climbs.

Alexandra Manly, Amber Pate, Georgie Howe, Jessica Allen (Team Jayco AlUla)

The Australian-based team will have three debutants lining up for their first Tour de France Femmes.

Among them is the ever-reliable domestique Jess Allen from WA, who is largely expected to play a support role for GC leader Ane Santesteban.

Criterium national champion and fellow debutant Amber Pate, who had an outstanding ride at Paris-Roubaix, will fulfil a dual role of support and opportunist if she can place herself in the right move.

Alexandra Manly returns for her second Tour. She is a fast finisher and will be given the freedom to fight for stage results herself, given she’s coming into the race fresh and motivated after a big training block.

In her first Tour appearance, Georgie Howe will target the time trial on the final stage.

Rachel Neylan, Josie Talbot (Cofidis Womens Team)

It will be veteran Rachel Neylan’s second and final Tour de France Femmes, with the 41-year-old calling time on her storied career at the end of the year.

She and Josie Talbot are part of a team built around leader Clara Koppenburg. 

Cofidis directeur sportif Gael le Bellec said Neylan would be pivotal in protecting their GC hopes.

“She showed all her talent during the Santos Tour Down Under at the start of the season. She will be able to pull out of the game at each stage, move forward, protect Clara in all circumstances and help show off the Cofidis jersey at the front of the peloton,” le Beooec said.

Meanwhile, Talbot will also play a support role, having been building back to form since breaking her collarbone two months ago.

Sarah Roy (Canyon-SRAM)

Sarah Roy’s 10th year in the pro peloton has been hampered by injury, but after rebuilding from a fractured sacrum, she is ready to line up for her first TDFF.

The Sydneysider was a late call-up for her team, taking the place of an ill teammate.

“I’m so stoked to be here in good form, ready to race,” Roy said. “I’m looking forward to the buzz, the great organisation, the race that means something to a lot of people even outside the sport, and being part of our great team racing hard on challenging parcours.”

She will be taking confidence from a good performance at the Giro Donne with the team as she aims to support her team’s goals with leader Kasia Niewiadoma.

Danielle de Francesco (Arkéa Pro Cycling Team)

From being without a team halfway through the season following the collapse of Zaaf Cycling Team, to lining up for her first TDFF: this neo-pro season has turned around for Danielle de Francesco.

We saw de Francesco go for a 40km solo breakaway during the Bretagne Ladies Tour. Will she try a similar move at the Tour?

Lizzie Stannard (Israel Premier-Tech Roland)

The TDFF will be Stannard’s third grand tour appearance this year after racing both La Vuelta Feminina and Giro Donne.

It’s been a promising year for the 26-year-old from Sydney after transferring from the dysfunctional Zaaf Cycling Team early in the season.

Her best result has been second on Stage 4 of Vuelta Ciclista Andalucia Ruta Del Sol. She will likely look for opportunities up the road as well as support the team’s GC contender Claire Steels.