The inaugural Womenâs Tour de France is underway, marking a landmark day for cycling as the most prestigious tournament in the sport finally gets a womenâs edition as the importance of promoting womenâs sport becomes ever more prominent.After starting earlier this week, the maiden winner of the prestigious yellow jacket will be crowned on the 31st of July after a gruelling week long competition.Tiffany Cromwell is one of the competitors taking part, however she is outside of the top 50 at the time of writing this article, sitting 59th in the overall standings for the tournament, four minutes and 59 seconds off the lead.Danish cyclist Cecilie Uttrup Ludwig is leading the way from Dutchwoman, Marianne Vos and South Africaâs Ashleigh Moolman-Pasio.The Australian, Cromwell, has cycled for a range of teams including the likes of Lotto Ladies, Hitec Products UCK, GreenEDGE-AID, Specialized-lululemon, Canyon-SRM and has featured in a range of disciplines including road and gravel.Cromwell has also competed in the Olympic games, taking part in the Tokyo Olympics where she finished 26th in the Womenâs Road Race.BAKU, AZERBAIJAN - JUNE 12: Valtteri Bottas of Finland and Alfa Romeo F1 and his girlfriend, cyclist Tiffany Cromwell walk in the Paddock ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Azerbaijan at Baku City Circuit on June 12, 2022 in Baku, Azerbaijan. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images)Now in the Womenâs Tour de France, Cromwell is representing her most recent team, Canyon-SRM Racing with teammate Katarzyna Niewiadoma much closer to the business end of the standings, standing in sixth position as it stands, just two seconds off the lead.Sheâs much more settled with her new team, spending six years with them to date and sheâll be hoping that continues with the new tournament now on the calendar.Her partner is Formula One driver, Valtteri Bottas, who was a key part of Mercedesâ dominance in the sport, winning five consecutive Constructorâs titles with the Silver Arrows, but he couldnât get the better of Lewis Hamilton for personal glory in his time there.
Now driving for Alfa Romeo, the Finn has enjoyed a mixed season, but has shown how good he is in a car much further down the order than heâs used to, outperforming the Mercedes cars at points earlier in the season.
The Finn has been present in France after the French Grand Prix, staying to support his girlfriend as she makes history by competing in the landmark event. He hands her a beverage as she whizzes past him to help stay hydrated.
Iâm sure itâs been a great way for him to relax and wind down before getting in the zone for the Hungarian GP this weekend. He tweeted a video of him supporting Cromwell on social media and itâs incredibly wholesome to see, he looks so proud.