PARIS: The women’s Tour de France is set to be revived next year after a 33-year absence with race director Christian Prudhomme saying it will be held after the men’s event. “It would have happened this year if it had not been for the COVID-19 pandemic, obviously, and above all if the Tokyo Olympics had not been after the (men’s) Tour, so the best riders may not be available,” Prudhomme told The Guardian. “But the decision has been taken. There will be a Tour de France femmes in 2022 following closely after the (men’s) Tour.” The women’s Tour de France was previously held from 1984 to 1989 and Prudhomme said they needed to ensure the race did not end up losing money if it was to have a permanent slot on the calendar. The 2022 men’s Tour is scheduled to run from July 1-25.