Française des Jeux (FDJ), France’s national lottery operator has launched the first edition of its ‘Coupe de France Elite Femmes’ pro-cycling competition, in partnership with the French Cycling Federation (FFC). 

A first of its kind event for women’s pro-cycling, the Coupe de France is an eight-round back-to-back multi-format race competition that will help Team France test cycling routes and prepare athletes for the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games. 

The FFC has invited all domestic and foreign teams Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) to take part in the competition, which will be held exactly 100 days before the start of the 2022 Tour de France Femmes – global cycling’s most prestigious racing event.

Michel Callot, President of the French Cycling Federation: “The launch of this new Coupe de France Elite Women FDJ demonstrates not only the dynamic that surrounds women’s cycling on our territory, but also the commitment and voluntarism of the French Federation de Cyclisme to develop and promote women’s cycling.”

The main sponsor of France’s Olympic athlete development programme, since 2017 FDJ has expanded its pro-cycling sponsorship portfolio to include the marquee events of the Tour de France Femmes and the Paris-to Roubaix road race.   

FDJ further serves as the principal sponsor of the UCI pro-tour winning Nouvelle-Aquitaine – Futuroscope cycling team.

Stéphane Pallez, Chairman and CEO of the FDJ backed pro-cycling directives stating –   “2022 will be the year of women’s cycling, of which FDJ is one of the main players in its expansion on national territory.  This partnership with the French Cycling Federation illustrates our commitment to the development of high-level women’s sport.”

“It also brings new proof of our determination to contribute to the emergence of new talents and to highlight these athletes who make tricolor cycling shine .”