Tour de France Dream Ensues for Henrietta Christie

Pro cyclist Henrietta Christie grew up idolising the Tour de France. Now the 20-year-old New Zealander finally gets to participate, as a member of the Human Powered Health team. Wellington-born Christie talks about participating in the inaugural Tour de France Femmes with Outside magazine.

“I remember being about nine years old and watching the Tour de France on television with my family. I told my parents: ‘I’m going to ride it someday.’ I didn’t care that women couldn’t ride in the Tour de France. Now, more than a decade later, it feels wonderful and surreal to be fulfilling my childhood dream,” Christie says.

“Every female pro cyclist that I know is excited, because the Tour de France Femmes is a sign that we’re getting more races, longer routes, and harder and more diverse courses.

“The men’s Tour shaped my whole idea of cycling, and it’s special to now have a women’s version, and to know that we can shape younger riders.”

Original article by Outside, July 22, 2022.