Tour de Romandie organisers postpone Women's WorldTour race to 2027 to preserve 'financial stability'

The organisers of the Tour de Romandie have decided to postpone the Women’s WorldTour race, originally planned for September 2026, until 2027. This decision comes amid financial challenges, with the Tour de Romandie Foundation facing a 10% budget shortfall. Despite efforts to secure funding, including attempts to attract high-profile riders like Tadej Pogačar to the men’s race, the foundation concluded that postponing the women’s event was necessary to maintain financial stability and ensure the race’s long-term viability. The postponement also reflects the crowded sporting calendar in the French-speaking region of Switzerland, where major events such as the Tour de France Femmes Grand Départ in Lausanne in August 2026 are expected to draw significant local resources and attention. The organisers emphasised that the decision was made out of respect for local committees already committed to staging various events, aiming to avoid overextension and preserve the quality of the women’s race. Discussions around funding for the women’s event remain ongoing, with the success of the men’s race providing some optimism for future financial consolidation. Since its inception in 2022, the Tour de Romandie Féminin has quickly established itself as a key fixture on the Women’s WorldTour calendar. The three-day stage race has seen notable winners, including Ashleigh Moolman-Pasio in its inaugural edition, followed by Demi Vollering, Lotte Kopecky, and Elise Chabbey in subsequent years. The postponement represents a setback for the women’s race but is framed by organisers as a strategic move to safeguard the event’s sustainability and uphold its standards in the years ahead. The decision highlights the ongoing financial pressures faced by women’s professional cycling events, particularly those linked to larger, established men’s races. While the postponement is disappointing for fans and competitors alike, it underscores the importance of securing stable sponsorship and support to ensure the growth and continuity of women’s races. The Tour de Romandie Foundation’s cautious approach may serve as a model for other organisers balancing ambition with financial prudence in the evolving landscape of women’s cycling.