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Tour de France Femmes<\/a><\/p>\n The Cheer Squad was created by former pro Iris Slappendel to help give back to women’s cycling.<\/p>\n On stage 7 of the upcoming Tour de France Femmes, when the riders reach the upper slopes of the mythical Mont Ventoux, keep an eye on the roadside. Not long after the riders leave the forest behind and venture out into the legendary moonscape, they\u2019ll reach the Fontaine de La Grave<\/a>. It\u2019s at that unassuming roadside water fountain, on a left-hand bend some 4.7 km from the summit, that one of the race\u2019s biggest fan gatherings will take place.<\/p>\n Coordinated by former pro racer turned Eurosport moto commentator, Iris Slappendel, the Cheer Squad is an annual party on the roads of the Tour de France Femmes. A wholesome collision of worlds that brings riders of all abilities and interests to watch the biggest race on the women\u2019s calendar.<\/p>\n For Slappendel, it all began as a way of giving back to a sport that has given her so much over the years.<\/p>\n \u201cIt started three years ago when the Tour de France Femmes started in Rotterdam, where I’m from,\u201d Slappendel tells Escape\u2019s Abby Mickey. \u201cI just thought it would be so great to [give] something back [to] the women’s peloton. I raced myself \u2026 for many years, and you’re always focused on the race, but still, those people cheering on the side of the road \u2013 they have an impact. I never forgot about them. Even though you pass them quickly, it’s always something that sticks with you.<\/p>\n \u201cAnd I thought, well, you know, women\u2019s cycling is growing, and there’s so much happening. We have to celebrate it, but we also have to keep giving attention to women’s cycling.\u201d<\/p>\n Giving back was part of the inspiration. So too were the many interactions Slappendel has had as owner and designer of the IRIS<\/a> cycling apparel brand.<\/p>\n \u201cIn my new life, not as a pro rider anymore, I learned so much about the other kind of cyclists \u2013 women that just ride their bike for fun,\u201d Slappendel explains. \u201cThey’re not focused on racing or getting faster or watts or whatever. They just want to have fun on their bikes, and I just noticed that there is so little connection between pro racing and the grassroots community, especially for women.<\/p>\n \u201cWhen I ride with the guys here [in the Netherlands], they’re always talking about racing and Mathieu van der Poel and [Tadej] Poga\u010dar, etc. But when I ride with women, they’re hardly ever talking about racing or women’s racing. So I thought I needed to get these two worlds connected in some way.\u201d<\/p>\n This post is for paying subscribers only Already have an account? Sign in<\/a><\/p>\n Did we do a good job with this story?<\/p>\n \n \ud83d\udc4dYep![\"Matt](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Matt-de-Neef-150x150.jpg\")
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Image: The Cheer Squad<\/p>\n
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