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Female cycling tour is canceled


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PARIS, August 01, 2005 (United Press International via COMTEX) -- The cancellation of the female equivalent of the Tour de France is fueling debate over the future of women's bike racing in France.

From government indifference, to judicial headaches, to a dearth of corporate sponsors the problems facing the female "tour" are substantial and wide-ranging, according to a Monday article in France's Liberation newspaper.

The female race is dubbed the "Grande Boucle Feminine," having been prevented to use the Tour de France moniker.

"There's only one professional (biking) team in France," Fanny Ribolot, a top female biking champion, complained to Liberation alluding to the country's all-male bike team.

The cancellation of the Grande Boucle was announced July 7, as the Tour de France was going full steam. The all-women's race was also canceled in 2004.

Copyright 2005 by United Press International.

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