France TV has sparked a wave of criticism from cycling fans after deciding not to broadcast every stage of the 2026 Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift in full, with some viewers accusing the channel of disrespecting professional cyclists.
France 2 rearranged its schedule to show the opening stage in its entirety on August 1, but reverted to partial coverage for Stage 2 on August 2. The channel began broadcasting at 15:45, more than an hour after the riders set off from Aigle at 14:20. The stage covers 147.9 kilometres between Aigle and Geneva.
France TV said it had committed to showing at least two hours and thirty minutes of racing each day throughout the race. Only three stages will be shown in full: the opening stage, Stage 5 between Mâcon and Belleville-en-Beaujolais on Wednesday, and the eighth and final stage around Nice.
The decision drew sharp criticism online. Isabelle Maillot questioned why full coverage was being withheld, arguing that an hour of content about the British royal family had been broadcast instead of honouring professional cyclists. The royal-family programme aired on France 2 before cycling coverage began on August 2.
Other viewers complained that even the podium ceremony was being cut short, with one commenter saying the channel only showed the yellow jersey before quickly ending its broadcast.
Sprinter Lorena Wiebes, who won Stage 1, carries the yellow jersey into Stage 2, which is expected to finish in a sprint.
