Is the tour de france really FAIR?

Question

I love watching it, and i think its a really cool sport. How come there are no girls in it though? I never have seen anyone besides white men. Why? Can girls be in the tour de france? I don't think it would be fair to not let a girl join if they qualify. Why don't girls have their own tour de france or at least something similar? What are your opinions on this?

Answer 1

The women's tour is called La Grande Boucle Feminine Internationale - it was held last month.  Men and women compete separately in nearly all professional sports, so this isn't unique to cycling at all.

Answer 2

they do.  there are professional women's teams, and they have thier own tour.  also not all are white men.  there have been many good hispanic riders over the years, and there are growing numbers of black cyclists in the sport.  in fact, the best cyclist of all time in my opinion is a woman.  Jeanne Longo of france has been racing and winning bike races since i began in the late 70's.  she just won france's national championship a few weeks ago at 54years old and qualified to race in the olympics again.  she won the first three women's tours.

Answer 3

The average difference in size between womens and mens bikes creates an issue of competitive fairness. Bikes are designed to manage a specific range of users, and if the women are using small wheels, they will cover less distance in as many strokes as a male. Now, provided that the woman has the endurance to keep up despite this, more power to her she'd be the most sponsored entrant in the race ever. But I do see what you're getting at. The Tour is not prejudiced itself, I believe that it's one of those demographic things that will just have to change over time like everything else.

Like sailing.... I'm the Only black yachtsman at my marina. I don't mind it, I don't personally know any other black people who sail, much less own their own boat.

Answer 4

yea well do u honestly believe a women could compete with men in  a sport like this? men are alot stronger and will have more stamina. and thatss why the women have their own tour de france although its a different name. they all have their own tours and teams. its just not as well publicized.

Answer 5

As others have said, there is a women's TdF, also a women's Giro d'Italia and many of the spring classics.

And check this out.  Although it has not been run since 2003 when the sponsor dropped out (not uncommon for men or women), it was considered to be the most difficult race in the US, men's or women's.

http://www.womenschallenge.com/

Answer 6

If there were a woman fast enough to compete with the men's teams, I'm sure somebody would snap her up.  

However, the differences in strength and endurance between men and women due to hormones make it unlikely at the top level in cycling.

Answer 7

sorry but there is no sport that a woman will be competative with a man.

they are not built for the rigours of athletics

it is genetics

Answer 8

Never heard of a rule against females. To be honest I think they should be allowed to compete, if they aren't, and they should if they can qualify. I don't think females need to start a separate one in something like this. This is an event where a female is just as qualified and if they are good enough then they are on level ground. Let them compete with the men, I'm tired of needing separate ones. Should Blacks have another separate one as well? I'm not trying to insult you by that question, I'm trying to say why can men and women need a separate event, but nothing else would qualify that way.