For years, Rotterdam Topsport has been committed to bringing top sports events to the Maasstad and organizing them successfully. For example, the organization supports and facilitates TeamNL programs, top sports clubs, talent centers and (new) top sports accommodations. Recently, Rotterdam Topsport conducted research into the impact of the Grand Départ of the Tour de France Femmes 2024 on Rotterdam and its surroundings.
Highly rated public event
The start of the world's most important women's cycling race has paid off handsomely for Rotterdam. For example, visitors gave the event an exceptionally high rating of 8.9. Moreover, the social program appears to have lasting effects: of the participants in the Rotterdams Peloton - an initiative to teach women in particular, many with a migration background, how to cycle - 80% still cycle every week.
New benchmarks for women's cycling
With 415,000 spectators along the course, the Tour de France Femmes set a new record, both on the streets and on television. This huge interest provided maximum visibility and "new standards for women's cycling." The event contributed to wider support in the city: more than three-quarters of Rotterdammers were positive about the organization and hospitality.
Figures underscore lasting impact
The influence of the Tour de France Femmes extended beyond the event itself. The KNWU registered a 111% increase in new members at Rotterdam cycling clubs in the four weeks after the Grand Départ. The event also made a clear step forward in terms of bicycle mobility: 74% of the visitors cycled regularly and 26% said they would get on their bikes more often after the Tour.
The Rotterdam Peloton is a particular success story in this regard. Of the 154 Rotterdam women who have learned to ride a bike (most of them from an immigrant background), 80% now ride their bikes at least once a week, many of them even three times a week.
Future plans in Utrecht
Not only Rotterdam, but also other cities want to keep cycling fever alive. During the National Cycling Gala at the Royal Beatrix Theater in October, Cor Jansen of Utrecht Marketing announced that Utrecht would like to bring the "Grande Partenza" of the Giro d'Italia to the Domstad in 2029. This initiative, which comes from Luuc Eisenga, would coincide with the celebration of 450 years of the Union of Utrecht. Cycling is an inspiring catalyst for sport, history and regional pride, and a broad-based, celebratory top sports event fits perfectly with that.
