Fiona Kolbinger, overall winner of transcontinental ultra cycling race

[VortexofBloggery]

road.cc/content/feature/265103-who-fiona-kolbinger-medical-student-who-has-become-first-woman-win

Interesting info about female sports endurance in ultra long distance in this article. Why don't women compete in the Tour de France? Not gruelling enough?

What an amazing achievement.

I think for an event like this the non physical effects are very significant

Without discounting the existence of physical factors that may make women better at endurance sports (I wouldn't be surprised if there are some biological perks to having a body that has evolved to carry a human or two constantly for several months), we know that when grit and determination are more important than physical strength, women can win.

I know 3 day eventing is often seen 'posh sport', but there is nothing 'feminine' about being thrown from a horse, and women compete and win against men in solo round the world yacht races.

However, there is no evidence whatsoever that Kolbinger's brillianct performance means that a woman will some day beat Usain Bolt.

" Why don't women compete in the Tour de France? Not gruelling enough"

no, women have an inferior lean muscle mass to men. women have more fat, and at an elite male fat % women would be dead.

men's bodies are more efficient at hauling them up mountains and women have no chance.

events like these can be won by women because they aren't about the best cyclists, they are about sleep deprivation etc.

to be clear women could compete in a female TDF with no issues, but not in the same race as men

Thanks for the info about Beryl Burton andyoldlabour it's such a fascinating area of sport. Look forward to reading up on her and others .

Thanks dapoxen for the clarification on what this all means (or doesn't) for women in endurance sports. I stand corrected!

In the recent UK National 24 hours time trial championship, there were around 90 competitors, all highly trained endurance cyclists. Both competition records were broken on the day and Christina Murray who set the new women's comp record of 478.42 miles finished in 12th place overall an incredible result.

www.ttlegends.org/mens-womens-year/?mile=24&gen=0&y=2019

"to be clear women could compete in a female TDF with no issues, but not in the same race as men"

Isn't it ironic that transwoman Natalie Van Gogh, at the age of 44, can still get a 3rd place against the best women racing cyclists in the World.
This is turning sport into a farce, it has to stop.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Natalie_van_Gogh

www.islabikes.co.uk/knowledge/news/beryl-burton/

Coming soon!

There were a bunch of terrific women doing the Tour De France this year*, a day ahead of the men, I think largely to try to get momentum behind a full stage women's race.

*it looks like one group of French women have done this every year since 2015 - Donnons des elles au Velo and this year InternationELLES joined them: www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cycling/48873611

I tried to keep an eye out for coverage but missed it - I'd bloody LOVE to watch a women's TDF event on telly.

(Fantastic fantastic achievement by Fiona Kolbinger)

So would I womandaresto Are there the same problems with doping in women's cycling events, as there are in men's? Or does that tend to come with the money/sponsorship?

The women's alternative to the Tour de France is called La Course.

Started in 2014, it consisted of one or two stages, until there was uproar last year when it reverted to a single short stage.

They are working on it:

www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-49284389

Interesting take on women and ultra endurance events

So women are more strategic and mentally tougher than men and that allows them to succeed in ultra-endurance sports?

I just felt a fresh wave of rage at all the snide bastards who've implied that female athletes need to work harder or improve their attitude and they'll be able to compete on a level playing field with transwomen. How dare they insult women like that.