Tour de France: How Cat Ferguson Has Been Inspired

Cat Ferguson is one of British cycling’s top prospects and at 18, is starting her professional career with Movistar racing team. This year she became a four-time Junior World Champion as well as winning an impressive six NC European races following her nomination for BBC Junior Sports Personality of the Year in 2023.

We caught up with Cat – a regular visitor to Club La Santa in Lanzarote – to preview the launch of our packages to the Tour de France Femmes including the Tour de France Femmes Etape.

How has the Tour de France influenced your journey as an athlete?

“When I was eight or nine, the Tour de France came to Yorkshire where I’m from, so me and my parents went to Skipton, and we watched them ride up one of the hills which I now ride every day when I’m at home. At that point, cycling wasn’t my favourite sport, but seeing everything in person was inspiring. I continued training on those same roads and since then, I have watched it every year.”

The Tour de France Femmes will return next summer for the fourth time, what does it mean to have female representation in The Tour de France?

“I think it’s brilliant. It should have happened a long time ago, but I think it is great to say that we have a fourth edition of the Tour de France Femmes finally. The Tour de France Femmes is quite close to my heart because my parents have a property in the Apls which the Tour de France goes past, so as well as Club La Santa I would go there on holiday all the time. This year, the final stage is up Alpe d’Huez. Every year I try to watch all the stages, which is quite a commitment, but it’s a special race and I’m glad that we finally have a women’s edition.”

Do you aspire to take part in the Tour de France Femmes?

“Definitely, the Tour de France and the Olympics are my career goals. I remember doing the mini-Olympics at Club La Santa nine times and I got all the medals. I did every single sport when I was younger, and because the Olympics is the pinnacle of sport, I dreamed of going and now I have found my sport.”

Are there any female cyclists who have inspired you?

“Lizzy Deignan. She lives in Otley, which is close to where I live, and I remember watching her at the 2012 Olympics when she won the first medal for GB in the women’s road race. I have watched her whole journey, and I think she has had a huge impact on female cycling. She has done so much for the sport – progressing it to be more equal – and I feel privileged to be in a position where at 18 I can join one of the best professional teams in the world. It’s thanks to people like her who have made it more normal to return after pregnancy and have maternity leave and things like that, Lizzy is a big inspiration of mine.”

Have you noticed a growth of women’s cycling in your personal experience?

“I think so. The numbers are still skewed towards men but now that I am a bit older, I look at some of the younger kids who come through in cycling and I think there are a few more girls riding than ever. I have just done the Junior Worlds, and I think there is equal opportunity for boys and racing on the big stage. If you are looking at the numbers, there are around 150 girls compared to 150 boys at the World Championships and progress is definitely being made.”

As you start your professional career, what are your goals for the up-coming year?

“It’s a difficult year, 2025. Because I am just joining the elite category, it will be a bit of a baptism of fire year, but I hope to keep racing some under 23 races which I can be more competitive in. I will still be the youngest but this is definitely a goal for the year.”

If you’re feeling inspired by Cat Ferguson’s cycling achievements, find out how you could follow the Tour de France with Sports Tours International and stay tuned for more information about our Tour de France Femmes packages!