Uphill Climb: The Women Who Conquered the Impossible Race

This tid bit of sports history was lost in the cobwebs of my memory. I remember Greg LeMond winning the Tour de France but forgot the first American to win the most difficult sporting event in the world was Marianne Martin in 1984, the 1st yr there was a Tour de France for women. One with virtually no support and zero prize money.

To hear the ladies speak about the challenges and obstacles they faced is inspiring. It seems silly that so many people thought women could not ride such a difficult race and climb such steep mountain roads.

It only lasted a few years. After about 30 years, it came back in 2020 through an online cycling training platform and now it is back each year on the roads of France and the women have pro teams, sponsors and prize money. (Not as much as the men.)