John Mitchell has said he and his England team know they will be “hunted” at this Women’s Rugby World Cup as teh world’s No 1 side and the favourites to lift the trophy on 27 September.

The Red Roses start their campaign against the USA on Friday night at the Stadium of Light in Sunderland and have named an unchanged XV from the 40-6 win over France in their final warm-up game.

Holly Aitchison, Helena Rowland and Claudia Moloney-MacDonald are out injured, with hopes they will be available next week, but the Red Roses will look familiar as they begin their trophy pursuit in front of a record crowd for an opening game, with 40,000 tickets sold.

England’s most recent meeting with the USA was at WXV 1 in Vancouver last September, when the Red Roses won 61-21, but Mitchell is not underestimating them: their planning included May’s Pacific Four tournament against Canada, New Zealand and Australia.

“We focus on ourselves,” Mitchell said. “They’re well into their program. We’re starting out. It’s really important to basically focus on ourselves. We understand their threats. It’s not that we don’t look at their threats, but ultimately ultimately it’s really important to focus on what we do and how we improve our margins, make sure that we perform above our standards. I’m sure if we take care of that, then that will take care of the threats.”

“Every team will rise 10% or 15% in this tournament as they’re playing against England. That’s just what we expect.From that point of view, we realize we’re hunted, but we also look forward to that as well.”

Although England, pooled also with Australia and Samoa, are the tournament favourites, with the defending champions, New Zealand, and Canada close behind, Mitchell said that status w

The 2024 Tour de France Femmes: A recap and What’s Next

The 2024 Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift concluded on July 21st, marking a important moment in the growth of women’s cycling. Lotte Kopecky of SD Worx-Protime claimed the overall victory, showcasing exceptional consistency and strength throughout the eight stages.This inaugural edition, building on the previous one-day race, proved to be a resounding success, captivating audiences and demonstrating the immense talent within the women’s peloton.

Key Highlights of the 2024 Race

The race route, spanning from Clermont-Ferrand to Alpe d’Huez, presented a diverse challenge for riders.Stages included flat sprints, rolling hills, and grueling mountain climbs, testing all aspects of their abilities. Kopecky’s victory wasn’t solely based on one dominant stage; instead, she consistently placed high, accumulating a lead that proved insurmountable. Marianne Vos (Visma-Lease a bike) secured the points classification,highlighting her sprinting prowess,while Yara Kastelijn (Fenix-Deceuninck) took home the mountains classification,demonstrating her climbing strength. The team classification was won by SD Worx-Protime, solidifying their position as a leading force in women’s cycling.

Several stages stood out. The individual time trial proved crucial, with Kopecky extending her lead. The mountain stages, notably the ascent to Alpe d’Huez, were dramatic, showcasing the riders’ determination and pushing them to their physical limits. The race wasn’t without its challenges, including crashes and tactical battles, adding to the excitement and unpredictability.

Looking Ahead: The Future of the Tour de France Femmes

The success of the 2024 Tour de France Femmes signals a bright future for women’s cycling. Organizers are already looking at ways to expand the race in coming years. Expect to see increased media coverage, greater sponsorship investment, and a continued focus on developing the next generation of female cyclists. the race is poised to become a cornerstone event in the cycling calendar, attracting top talent and inspiring more women to take up the sport. The ambition is to eventually match the length and prestige of the men’s Tour de France, providing equal opportunities and recognition for female athletes.

The 2025 edition is expected to build on this momentum, potentially featuring a longer route and even more challenging stages.We can anticipate increased competition as teams invest further in their women’s programs,and a growing global fanbase eager to witness the thrilling action.

Key Takeaways

• Lotte Kopecky won the overall general classification.
• Marianne Vos won the points classification.
• Yara Kastelijn won the mountains classification.
• SD Worx-Protime won the team classification.
• the race was a significant success, demonstrating the growing popularity of women’s cycling.

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