1 month ago
Harshita Jakhar First Indian Woman in Tour de France Femmes
A 19‑year‑old cyclist from India named Harshita Jakhar rode in the Tour de France Femmes, the big women’s bike race.
She was the first Indian woman to do so.
She joined a small group of riders from other countries on the second day of the race.
The race started in Lausanne, Switzerland, and ends in Nice, France.
The UCI, the world cycling body, welcomed her and said she would likely return for the main part of the race.
Harshita trains in Patiala, India, with her dad who used to race too.
She hopes to finish in the top 10 at the Asian Games in 2026 and win a medal in 2030.
19‑year‑old Harshita Jakhar became the first Indian woman to ride in the Tour de France Femmes.
She joined a neutralised start group of eight riders from Afghanistan, Algeria, Chile, Ethiopia, Namibia, and Uganda on Stage 2.
The 2024 race began on August 1 in Lausanne, Switzerland, and will finish on August 9 in Nice, France.
UCI President David Lappartient praised Jakhar’s talent and welcomed her participation.
Jakhar trains at the SAI National Centre of Excellence in Patiala under her father‑coach Rakesh Jakhar.
- Who
- Harshita Jakhar, David Lappartient
- What
- First Indian woman to ride in the Tour de France Femmes
- Where
- Lausanne, Switzerland (start) to Nice, France (finish)
- When
- Stage 2 of the 2024 race, part of the August 1–9 event
- Why
- To give riders from nations without high‑performance pathways exposure and celebrate Indian participation
Key facts
- Event
- Tour de France Femmes
- Dates
- August 1–9, 2024
- First Indian woman rider
- Harshita Jakhar
- UCI President
- David Lappartient
- Training base
- SAI National Centre of Excellence, Patiala
Quotes
Harshita Jakhar
19‑year‑old Indian cyclist
“Ever since I fell in love with cycling as a child, thanks to my father, I have dreamt of the Tour de France. I am thankful to UCI for giving me this opportunity to ride with other talented cyclists at the start of the Second Stage of the race for women.”
theprint.in
“I aim to finish among the Top 10 at the 2026 Asian Games, and win a medal in the 2030 Games.”
theprint.in
UCI President David Lappartient
President of the Union Cycliste Internationale
“We are excited to have India’s very talented Harshita Jakhar in our prestigious UCI World Cycling Talent programme. I am sure she will love being part of the Tour de France Femmes and will soon return to take part in the actual competition.”
theprint.in
Sources
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