Georgia Williams: Kiwi champion riding a wind of change in women’s pro cycling

National Champion Georgia Williams raced the first ever women’s Paris-Roubaix. Image: Getty Images

Women’s professional cycling has always battled the headwinds of a male-dominated sport. Here in New Zealand there’s no coverage of women’s racing.  There’s been no real women’s equivalent to the Tour de France (but more on that in a moment) and ordinary punters would have to look hard to get past the idea that cycling is run by men, for men. But those headwinds are starting to shift and the bastions of a male dominated sport are starting to crumble. There’s a long road ahead, but an increasing number of women cyclists are chasing their sporting dreams on the professional circuit.

First ever women’s Paris-Roubaix was a cracker, and a long awaited step in the right direction.

First ever women’s Paris Roubaix winner, Lizzie Deignan. From here

It’s been an historic week for cycling.  This weekend just gone saw the 118^th running of the men’s Paris-Roubaix and – and this is the truly historic and awesome bit – the first ever running of the women’s Paris-Roubaix.  Yep, a race that has been running since 1896 has for the first time allowed for a women’s race.  But park your outrage about that for just a minute (we’ll get back to it later…) and revel in what was one of the greatest editions of the greatest bike races of all time.