Sport Minister calls for a Tour de France race for women
A Tour de France race for women should be introduced, Sport Minister Hugh Robertson has said.
The minister said he would do everything he could to make sure women are included in cycling's elite event after Labour called for a women's race to be included in the 2014 Tour - which will begin in Yorkshire.
During culture, media and sport questions, Mr Robertson said: "The slight complication about the Tour de France is that it's run by a private organisation and not by the international federation.
"Clearly it therefore exists on sponsorship and other things so there are a number of factors to sort out.
"But the central point is absolutely correct. This should be competed for by men and women alike and I will do everything I can to help that."