Four years after its revival, the women's Tour de France has a television audience, a sponsor list and a problem that its organizers describe as a good one: it is too short to leave France.
The men's race has started abroad 26 times, most recently in Italy, and each foreign start brings a fee that helps fund the event. The women's race, at nine stages, cannot spare the transfer day.
Organizers said this week that a tenth stage was under discussion for 2028 and that cities in the Netherlands, Spain and Britain had expressed interest in hosting a start.
Riders have asked for the extra day for different reasons. “Nine days is a sprint,” said one team director. “Ten starts to be a tour.”
A version of this article appears in print on Oct. 11, 2026, Section D, Page 1 of the European edition with the headline: The Women's Tour de France Wants to Start Abroad. First It Needs More Days..
