France- In an attempt to ensure the same inclusivity as women’s sports in America, the Tour de France proudly announced this morning that they would not discriminate against motorcyclists that identify as cyclists.
A French motorcyclist named Jacques DeMond has been competing in worldwide motorcycle races, including events like the Isle of Man, for over 7 years. He said he experimented as a bicyclist when he was younger but felt like he would be judged as a “wuss” as he got older. “I had watched the Tour de France since I was a child and my friends would make fun of me and tell me cycling was for children,” DeMond explained through a translator, “So I followed the crowd and started competing on motorcycles.”
DeMond said he would dress up as a cyclist alone at home and dance in front of his mirror just to get some self-satisfaction. “I am not proud but I would dress up and imagine being a cyclist,” he explained, “I would put on the helmet, shoes, compression shorts, all of it.” He continued to tell our staff that once he saw men competing in women’s sports in America, he felt like this was the perfect time to appeal to the Tour officials and see if he could fulfill his dream of racing the Tour de France as a motorcyclist.
“At first the Tour officials were against it, very much,” DeMond explained again through translation, “But when I had people like Lia Thomas and Dylan Muvaney from the United States appeal on my behalf they couldn't say no or they would be labeled as bigots— so here I am.”
This will be the first Tour de France to feature a motorcyclist riding a motorcycle in a bicycle race. “It’s a great day for the world of sports and the world of inclusivity,” exclaimed Chairman Christian Prudhomme.
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