By Paul Osborne

Women will race alongside men at cycling's most prestigous event for the first time since 1989 following the announcement of "La Course" at the 2014 Tour de France ©Getty ImagesFebruary 1 - For the first time since 1989 women will have the opportunity to race alongside their male counterparts at cycling's most prestigious event following the announcement of a female race on the final day of the Tour de France.


The day-long race will see women compete in a new road race finishing on the Champs-Élysées on July 27 - the same day the men's peloton will make its way across this famous final stage in Paris.

The race, dubbed "La Course", will make its first appearance on the International Cycling Union's (UCI) elite women's calendar this year and represents a huge step forward for women's cycling following a lengthy campaign by Le Tour Entier, which was launched last year with the intention of getting a full three-week women's tour to run alongside the men's.

The campaign has generated over 95,000 signatures online.

"We really hope that La Course at Le Tour 2014 marks the beginning of a long-term strategy for women's cycling at the Tour de France," said four-time Ironman triathlon champion Chrissie Wellington, one of the founding members of Le Tour Entier.

"Le Tour is the pinnacle of professional cycling and this race is the start of an exciting new era."

The new women's race will finish at the Champs-Élysées just hours before the men's peloton makes its way to the iconic final stage of their three-week Tour de France ©Getty ImagesThe new women's race will finish at the Champs-Élysées just hours before the men's peloton makes its way to the iconic final stage of their three-week Tour de France ©Getty Images



UCI President Brian Cookson added: "I am delighted to see this exciting development for women's cycling.

"The UCI is committed to support the development of women's cycling, and following my election to the UCI Presidency in 2013 we established a Women's Commission to focus our efforts here.

"The quality of professional women's road racing has long deserved a wider audience, and we are very happy that this initiative by A.S.O. will bring the sport to many fans, new and old.

"Women's racing on the iconic parcours of the Champs Elysees is a tremendous step forward, and we are pleased to welcome this addition to the UCI calendar."

The route or length of the new race is yet to be released however an announcement is expected to be made in April or May 2014.

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