The 2022 Tour de France Femmes (officially 2022 Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift) was the first edition of the Tour de France Femmes, a professional women's cycling race which took place from 24 to 31July. It was the 16th event in the 2022 UCI Women's World Tour. The Tour consisted of 8 stages, covering a distance of 1,033 kilometres (642mi).
Starting in 1955, various cycling races for women have been held similar to the Tour de France for men, using different names (for example, Tour de France Féminin and Grande Boucle Féminine Internationale) and to a shorter length, unlike the three-weeks races for the men. The first edition of Tour de France Femmes followed years of campaigning by the women's professional peloton for an equivalent race to the men's Tour de France. The race drew large crowds, had substantial international media coverage, and was highly praised by the public, media, teams, and riders.
The Tour de France is an annual men's multiple-stage bicycle race held primarily in France, with the first race in 1903.[2] It takes place over 21 stages across three weeks in July.[2] Various professional women's cycle stage races across France have been held as an equivalent race for women, with the first taking place as a one off event in 1955.[3] Between 1984 and 2009, a women's Tour de France was staged consistently, using the Tour de France Féminin name from 1984 to 1989. Several race organisers subsequently ran events such as the Tour Cycliste Féminin and Grande Boucle Féminine Internationale.[4][5] These races struggled with financial difficulties, limited media coverage, sexism, and trademark issues with the organisers of the Tour de France, Amaury Sport Organisation (ASO).[5][6][7][8]
La Course by Le Tour de France
In 2013, activist group Le Tour Entier (“the whole tour”) began pushing for a revival of the women's Tour de France and other improvements to women's cycling.[4][9] Following substantial media coverage, and a petition signed by over 100,000 people,[10] ASO launched La Course by Le Tour de France in 2014.[11][12] The one-day stage race took place prior to the final stage of the men's race in Paris.[12] Between 2014 and 2021, La Course was held in a variety of locations across France in conjunction with the men's race, with ASO arguing that this was the "best way to shine a light on female cycling".[11][13]
La Course was initially praised for the exposure gained by sharing the stage with the Tour de France, with sponsors welcoming the live TV coverage and visibility of taking place alongside the men's race.[13][14][15] However, La Course was criticised by campaigners and riders for being overshadowed by the men's Tour de France, not having enough stages, and not being challenging enough for the professional peloton.[14][16][17] Organisers were also criticised for not doing enough to promote the race.[18] Riders and campaigners pushed for La Course to evolve into a longer race with more stages, with mountain stages and time trials.[16][17] Pushing back at criticism, ASO noted that they were unable to stage a men's and women's Tour de France simultaneously due to logistical issues,[12] and that races must be financially sustainable.[17][19]
Tour de France Femmes
In May 2021, ASO announced that they would launch a new women's stage race, Tour de France Femmes.[7] The first edition was to be held over 8 days in July 2022, following the 2022 Tour de France.[20] The men's tour director, Christian Prudhomme commented that lessons must be learned from the failure of previous events,[7] with the aim of a financially sustainable event, one "that will still exist in 100 years".[21] The reaction from the professional women's peloton was overwhelmingly positive,[22] with Dutch rider Anna van der Breggen stating "it's long been a dream for many of us to compete in a women's Tour de France",[23] and Danish rider Cecilie Uttrup Ludwig commenting "this is a day that we’ve waited for, for a long time".[24] ASO also announced that multiplayer online cycling platform Zwift had signed a four-year agreement to sponsor the race, as Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift.[25]
The 24 teams which participated in the race were announced on 30March 2022.[26][27] All 14 UCI Women's WorldTeams were automatically invited. They were joined by 10 UCI Women's Continental Teams: the three best 2021 UCI Women's Continental Teams (Ceratizit–WNT Pro Cycling, Parkhotel Valkenburg and Valcar–Travel & Service) received an automatic invitation, and the other seven teams were selected by the organisers of the Tour. A total of 144 riders from 25 nationalities started the race, with the Netherlands having the largest contingent (29 riders).[26]
In October 2021, the route was announced by race director Marion Rousse.[28] It comprised eight consecutive days of racing, covering a total of 1,033 kilometres (642mi). The race started with a stage on the Champs-Élysées in Paris, on the same day as the final stage of the men's tour. The route generally headed eastwards from Paris, with gravel sections in Champagne vineyards on stage 4, stages in the Vosges mountains (including the longest, stage 5), and a summit finish on stage 8 at La Super Planche des Belles Filles.[28] Climbs were categorised from category4 (the easiest) to category1 (the most difficult), with no hors catégorie (English: beyond category) climbs on the route.[29]
The route was welcomed by the professional peloton and campaigners such as Kathryn Bertine, with praise for the variety of stages.[30][31][32]Rouleur considered that the mountainous terrain of the last two stages could mean that the winner could be unsure "until the riders cross the finish line on the final stage".[33] The overall length of the event was met with agreement, with some teams noting that they do not "yet have the staff or numbers" for a race three weeks in length (such as the men's Tour de France).[34]
The route itself required a waiver from the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI), as Women's WorldTour races have a maximum stage length of 160 kilometres (99mi) and a maximum race length of six days.[35] The restrictions were criticised by the professional peloton and campaigners as "sexist", as the UCI does not allow women to compete over identical distances as men.[36]
Media coverage prior to the event was positive,[41] calling the race a "historic moment for women's cycling"[42] and "game changing".[43] There was some criticism of the €250,000 prize fund, compared to the €2.2 million prize fund for the men's race.[44] ASO noted that the prize fund was larger than men's races of similar length – such as the Critérium du Dauphiné.[44] Riders from The Cyclists' Alliance – a union representing the female peloton – stated that live TV coverage for races was their biggest priority, rather than prize money.[44][45]
Stage 1 of the Tour took place on 24July in Paris, with a start beneath the Eiffel Tower and eight laps around the Champs-Élysées (on the traditional circuit which concluded the men's tour later that day). In a bunch sprint finish, Wiebes (Team DSM) outsprinted Marianne Vos (Jumbo–Visma) to take the first yellow jersey of the race, as well as the green jersey of the points classification.[46][47] Stage2 to Provins was marred by multiple crashes in the final 30 kilometres (19mi), with Cavalli (FDJ Suez Futuroscope) having to abandon the race as a result. Van Vleuten (Movistar Team) also came close to abandoning the race after suffering from a stomach infection and being unable to eat or drink. At the finish, Vos outsprinted a small group to take the yellow and green jerseys, assisted by bonus seconds available to the first 3 finishers.[48][49][50]
Stage 3 took place on rolling terrain, with a final loop into Épernay. On the Côte de Mutigny, several riders contending for the general classification broke away from the peloton. On the final steep climb to the finish, Uttrup Ludwig (FDJ Suez Futuroscope) outsprinted the group to take the stage while Femke Gerritse (Parkhotel Valkenburg) took the lead in the QoM classification.[51][52][53]
Stage 4 to Bar-sur-Aube was another hilly stage, its final half having four gravel sections in Champagne vineyards. Multiple riders including Niewiadoma (Canyon–SRAM), Longo Borghini (Trek–Segafredo), Uttrup Ludwig and van Vleuten suffered punctures and other issues but most of them were able to rejoin the peloton and not lose time. Mavi García (UAE Team ADQ) was hit by her team car while trying to catch up to the main field after two punctures, causing her to lose time.[54][55] With around 25 kilometres (16mi) remaining, Marlen Reusser (SD Worx) attacked, riding solo to win the stage by nearly a minute and a half.[55][56]
Continuing east across France, stage 5 to Saint-Dié-des-Vosges was the longest of the 2022 Women's WorldTour calendar at 175.6 kilometres (109.1mi). With around 45 kilometres (28mi) left, a crash in the peloton took down several riders, with Emma Norsgaard (Movistar Team) having to abandon. In the final sprint, Wiebes overtook Balsamo and Vos to secure her second stage win. In the GC, Vos kept the yellow jersey, extending her advantage to 20 seconds due to bonuses.[57][58][59] Stage6 to Rosheim was a hilly stage, with four categorised climbs and another climb with bonus seconds at the top.[29] On the descent of the penultimate climb, a small group including Wiebes and Lotte Kopecky (SD Worx) crashed, but everyone involved ultimately finished the stage. A group of 14 riders who had been ahead of the peloton in a breakaway were caught in the closing kilometres, with the stage win contested by a large group of riders in a bunch sprint. Vos outsprinted Marta Bastianelli (UAE Team ADQ) and Kopecky to win her second stage of the race. In the GC, Vos extended her advantage due to the ten bonus seconds she gained for the stage win.[60][61][62]
Stages 7 and 8 took place in the Vosges mountains in Grand Est, with five category1 climbs over the two days, and two summit finishes.[28] The difficulty of the two stages meant they were considered to be queen stages, likely to decide the eventual winner of the GC.[33]
Stage 7 was 127.1km (79.0mi) in length, with 3,000 metres (9,800ft) of climbing, including the Grand Ballon. On Petit Ballon, the first climb of the day, Vos could not keep with the pace of the GC contenders, and fell behind with a group of slower riders. Meanwhile, having started the stage with stitches in her elbow following her crash on stage6, Wiebes abandoned the race.[63] On the Petit Ballon, with 86 kilometres (53mi) remaining, van Vleuten broke away from the peloton with only Demi Vollering (SD Worx) able to match her pace. A chase group with most of the other GC contenders formed behind them. A kilometre (0.6mi) from the top of the Col du Platzerwasel, the second climb of the day, van Vleuten accelerated ahead of Vollering. Van Vleuten extended her lead to almost four minutes by the final climb of the Grand Ballon. Van Vleuten lost some time to Vollering on the final plateau section, but nevertheless won the stage, 3 min 26 s ahead of Vollering, who took the polka-dot jersey as leader of the QoM. In the GC, van Vleuten took the yellow jersey, more than three minutes ahead of Vollering while Niewiadoma took third place, four and a half minutes behind van Vleuten. Vos finished the stage over 24 minutes behind the stage winner, losing the yellow jersey. Despite this, she continued to hold the green jersey, owing to the large number of points she had collected in previous stages.[64][65]
Stage 8 was the second mountain stage of the Tour, with three categorised climbs during the 123.3km (76.6mi) long stage. The final climb to La Super Planche des Belles Filles was 7 kilometres (4.3mi) long with an average gradient of 8.7percent, with the last kilometre featuring an extended gravel section with gradients as high as 24percent. On the first climb, no break had been established and Vollering was able to take maximum points to extend her lead in the QoM classification. A group of ten riders broke away from the main field, however the peloton did not give them a large headway, given the two large climbs later on the stage. With 57 kilometres (35mi) to go, van Vleuten suffered an issue with her bike and SD Worx and Trek–Segafredo increased the pace of the peloton. Van Vleuten rejoined the peloton with around 45 kilometres (28mi) left in the stage at the foot of the second climb, the Ballon d'Alsace. On the climb, van Vleuten made four more bike changes but she quickly made it back to the peloton each time.[66] On the final climb to La Super Planche des Belles Filles, van Vleuten launched a solo attack from the peloton with 6 kilometres (3.7mi) remaining. She passed the remnants of the breakaway group with Vollering in pursuit. Much like the previous day, a chase group of GC contenders formed behind them. Van Vleuten gradually extended her lead and won the stage and the Tour title. Vollering finished 30seconds behind, confirming her win in the QoM classification.[67][68]
Van Vleuten (Movistar Team) won the Tour de France Femmes with an advantage over Vollering (SD Worx) of almost four minutes.[67][68] Niewiadoma took third place overall, six and a half minutes behind van Vleuten, maintaining her position by finishing in the top five on both mountain stages.[64][67] Vollering won the Queen of the Mountains (QoM) classification while Vos (Team Jumbo–Visma) won the points classification and the super-combativity award for the most combative rider, after finishing in the top five on the first six stages, with wins on stages 2 and 6.[67][69]Shirin van Anrooij (Trek–Segafredo) won the young rider classification for the best-placed GC rider under the age of 23.[67] The team classification was won by Canyon–SRAM as the team with the lowest aggregate time among their three best-placed riders.[67] Out of 144 starters, 109 finished the event.[70]
Van Vleuten expressed that she was "super proud" to have won, saying that winning in yellow was "a dream come true".[71] Vollering considered that she had performed well throughout the race and therefore had "nothing to regret".[72] Other riders praised the event, with Niewiadoma noting it was one of the most difficult races that the women's peloton has taken part in,[73] and fourth-placed Juliette Labous (Team DSM) explained that she was surprised by the large crowds, stating "I didn't expect this much, I knew there would be a lot of people but I didn't expect as much as this."[74]
Classification leadership
There were four main individual classifications contested in the 2022 Tour de France Femmes, as well as a team competition.[75] The most important was the general classification, which was calculated by adding each rider's finishing times on each stage. Bonus seconds were awarded at all stage finishes – with ten, six and four bonus seconds awarded to the first three finishers. Bonus seconds were also available on certain mountain climbs during the race – with three, two and one bonus seconds awarded to the first three riders to reach the top of the climb.[75] The rider with the lowest cumulative time was the winner of the general classification and was considered the overall winner of the Tour de France Femmes. The rider leading the classification wore a yellow jersey.[76]
The second classification was the points classification. Riders received points for finishing in the top fifteen positions in a stage finish, or in intermediate sprints during the stage. The points available for each stage finish were determined by the stage's type, with flat stages awarding more points than mountain stages.[75] The leader was identified by a green jersey.[76]
The third classification was the mountains classification. Most stages of the race included one or more categorised climbs, in which points were awarded to the riders that reached the summit first. Climbs were categorised with category4 being the easiest and category1 the hardest.[75] There were no hors catégorie climbs on the route.[29] Category4 awarded two riders, the first with 2 points, and the second with 1 point; category3 awarded three riders, the first with 3 points; category2 awarded four riders, the first with 5 points; and category1 awarded six riders, the first with 10 points.[75] The leader wore a white jersey with red polka dots.[76]
The final individual classification was the young rider classification. This was calculated the same way as the general classification, but the classification was restricted to riders under the age of 23.[75][76] The leader wore a white jersey.[75][76]
The final classification was a team classification. This was calculated using the finishing times of the best three riders per team on each stage; the leading team was the team with the lowest cumulative time. The number of stage victories and placings per team determined the outcome of a tie.[75] The riders in the team that lead this classification were identified with yellow number bibs on the back of their jerseys.[76]
In addition, there was a combativity award given after each stage to the rider considered, by a jury, to have demonstrated effort and sportsmanship.[77] The winner wore a red number bib the following stage.[76] At the conclusion of the Tour, the jury awarded the super-combativity award to the rider who demonstrated this throughout the race.[77]
↑ On stage 2, Lotte Kopecky, who was second in the points classification, wore the green jersey, because first placed Lorena Wiebes wore the yellow jersey as the leader of the general classification.
↑ On stages 3–7, Lorena Wiebes, who was second in the points classification, wore the green jersey, because first placed Marianne Vos wore the yellow jersey as the leader of the general classification.
Worldwide media coverage praised the event.[81][82]CNN called the race a "rebirth",[83]Cycling Weekly commented that the race was a "huge step for the women's sport",[84] and L'Équipe said that people came to see "the Tour de France without making the slightest distinction between men and women".[85] Race director Marion Rousse stated that "it's a proper Tour de France, with the caravan, the crowds, placards, flags"[86] and Le Tour Entier co-founder Kathryn Bertine called it a "wonderful edition".[87]
Future improvements to the race were also discussed,[81] including increasing the riders in each team,[88] more days of racing (including an individual time trial and stages in the Alps or Pyrenees mountains),[88][89] and increased sponsorship.[90] It was also noted that work was still required to improve the competitive depth and "economic model" of the women's peloton,[90][88] with L'Équipe referencing the "enormous difference in level between the ... runners-up and the rest of the peloton".[91] The 2023 edition of the race subsequently featured both an individual time trial and mountain stages in the Pyrenees,[92] and the 2024 edition visited the Alps.[93]
Broadcasting
Live television coverage was provided by France Télévisions in conjunction with the European Broadcasting Union.[94][95] There were over 22 hours of live coverage over the eight stages,[96] with some viewers requesting that live TV coverage be expanded to encompass the entire length of the stage.[97] The race was broadcast around the world, including on NBC's Peacock in the United States,[98] on Eurosport across Europe and by a variety of national broadcasters such as France 3, RTVE, and SBS.[99]
Following the event, broadcasters reported high viewing figures, with a cumulative live audience of 23.2million.[100][101] In France, France 3 reported an average of 2.25million viewers over the eight stages (a 26% audience share), and a peak of 5.1million watching the final part of stage8 (a 45% audience share).[96][102] This was just under half the audience of the 2022 men's tour.[102] In the Netherlands, a 45% audience share was reported at peak times.[102]Eurosport reported a reach of over 14million across Europe.[96] France Télévisions commented that the audience figures were a good surprise, and that they were "a very solid basis on which the world of cycling will be able to build".[103]
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↑ Marshall, Ruth (22 July 1984). "Women Cyclists Change Tour de France Forever". The Washington Post. ISSN0190-8286. Jacques Anquetil, a cycling commentator for the sports daily L'Equipe, and a five-time Tour de France winner, wrote, 'I have absolutely nothing against women's sports, but cycling is much too difficult for a woman ... I prefer to see a woman in a short white skirt, not racing shorts.'
↑ "Women's Tour de France campaigners publish manifesto". BBC Sport. 12 September 2013. Archived from the original on 28 September 2021. Retrieved 15 February 2022. More than 93,000 have signed a petition by the group, led by cyclist and writer Kathryn Bertine, World Ironman champion Chrissie Wellington, and cyclists Marianne Vos and Emma Pooley.
1 2 "Polarized opinions remain on La Course". VeloNews. 17 July 2018. Archived from the original on 27 August 2020. Retrieved 15 February 2022. Prior to the 2017 race, ASO technical director Thierry Gouvenou said that holding the event alongside the men's race was a positive, due to the increase in crowds and media. 'It is the best way to shine a light on female cycling'
1 2 Payne, Marissa (27 November 2021). "Women's cycling advocates 'disappointed' after Tour de France reverts La Course to one day". The Washington Post. ISSN0190-8286. Retrieved 1 July 2024. Retired cyclist Joanna Rowsell Shand ... advocated expanding the race to a multiday event, more like the men's race, to even out the playing field and make things more competitive. 'It's good that we've got prime-time TV on the last Saturday of the Tour de France, but we do need a proper stage race. We need mountain climbs, flat stages, time trials and a Champs-Elysees finish'
↑ "La Course by Le Tour de France: springboard towards women's Tour de France". UCI. 24 June 2021. Archived from the original on 17 May 2023. Retrieved 15 February 2022. 'It's long been a dream for many of us to compete in a women's Tour de France,' Anna van der Breggen observes, the UCI World Champion highlighting the announcement as 'a huge moment for professional women's cycling'.
↑ Benson, Daniel (14 October 2021). "Uttrup Ludwig: Racing Tour de France Femmes will make us part of history". Cycling News. Archived from the original on 27 February 2024. Retrieved 15 February 2022. Uttrup Ludwig echoed Moolman Pasio's comments in relation to the importance of the new race. 'I'm so excited. I mean this is a day that we've waited for, for a long time.'
↑ Frattini, Kirsten (16 October 2021). "A closer look reveals the inequity at Tour de France Femmes". Cycling News. Archived from the original on 16 October 2021. Retrieved 11 June 2023. First, it's a huge victory; we finally have a Tour de France Femmes. We need to celebrate these eight days.
1 2 Jary, Rachel; Timms, Joe (14 June 2022). "Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift 2022: Route, favourites and contender". Rouleur. Archived from the original on 13 July 2022. Retrieved 18 July 2024. The nature of the route, where the two queen stages occur in the final two days, means we won't be sure of the winner until the riders cross the finish line on the final stage
↑ Jary, Rachel; Timms, Joe (21 July 2022). "Tour de France Femmes 2022: everything you need to know". Rouleur. Archived from the original on 13 July 2022. Retrieved 21 July 2022. While there was initially criticism regarding the length of the event, the general consensus in the peloton appears to be that this is a good place to start, and that the women's WorldTour field does not yet have the staff or numbers to field teams for a 3-week event.
↑ Frattini, Kirsten (16 October 2021). "A closer look reveals the inequity at Tour de France Femmes". Cycling News. Archived from the original on 16 October 2021. Retrieved 2 May 2023. We need to pay attention to the underlying sexism: UCI and ASO still uphold the belief that women cannot complete the same distance as men, and are therefore regulated to shorter distances.
↑ Farrand, Stephen; Frattini, Kirsten (27 July 2022). "Mavi Garcia hit by own team car on hectic Tour de France Femmes gravel stage". Cycling News. Archived from the original on 3 August 2022. Retrieved 18 July 2024. Garcia had suffered two punctures on the dirt road sectors, making two bike changes, the second while leading the front group of favourites with 20km to race. She was then joining a chase group when her team car clipped her rear wheel from behind.
↑ "Tour de France Femmes: Dutch rider Annemiek van Vleuten wins inaugural title". BBC Sport. 31 July 2022. Archived from the original on 6 August 2022. Retrieved 18 July 2024. I'm super proud to be the first winner of the Tour de France for the women [...] I hope it's a big start and we can build this event to a bigger event [...] That's actually a dream come true, winning in yellow
↑ Rogers, Owen (31 July 2022). ""I feel my legs a bit less when I hear the crowd," riders react to the Tour de France crowds". Cycling Weekly. Archived from the original on 7 June 2023. Retrieved 1 August 2022. Fourth overall, DSM's Juliette Labous was France's top placed rider on GC and has been surprised by the reception. 'I didn't expect this much, I knew there would be a lot of people but I didn't expect as much as this,'
1 2 "Règlement Le Tour Femmes avec Zwift 2022"[Regulations Le Tour Femmes avec Zwift 2022](PDF). Tour de France Femmes (in French). ASO. July 2022. Archived from the original(PDF) on 27 July 2022. Retrieved 17 August 2024. Le prix de la combativité récompense la coureuse la plus généreuse dans l'effort et manifestant le meilleur esprit sportif. Ce prix, attribué dans les 8 étapes en ligne, est décerné par un jury présidé par la directrice de l'épreuve. Une Super-combative est désignée par les membres du jury à la fin du Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift[The combativeness prize rewards the most generous rider in the effort and showing the best sportsmanship. This prize, awarded in the 8 online stages, is awarded by a jury chaired by the director of the event. A Super-combative is designated by the members of the jury at the end of the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift]
↑ Le Gars, Philippe (1 August 2023). "Tour de France: ce qu'on a aimé, ce qu'on n'a pas aimé"[Tour de France: what we liked, what we didn't like]. L'Équipe (in French). Archived from the original on 15 December 2023. Retrieved 22 October 2023. Le pari d'attirer l'attention sur cette nouvelle épreuve est réussi, le public a été fidèle au Tour de France femmes au-delà des prévisions. Les camping-caristes des trois semaines du Tour masculin ont poursuivi l'aventure durant ces sept journées supplémentaires, et ont rencontré un autre public venu voir passer le Tour de France sans faire la moindre distinction entre les hommes et les femmes.[The challenge of attracting attention to this new event was successful, the public was loyal to the Women's Tour de France beyond predictions. The campervans of the three weeks of the Men's Tour continued the adventure during these seven additional days, and met another public who had come to watch the Tour de France pass without making the slightest distinction between men and women.]
↑ Le Gars, Philippe (1 August 2022). "Tour de France: ce qu'on a aimé, ce qu'on n'a pas aimé". L'Équipe (in French). Archived from the original on 15 December 2023. Retrieved 22 October 2023. S'il ne faut pas sous-estimer la performance d'Annemiek van Vleuten, on savait déjà que la Néerlandaise était au-dessus du lot. L'énorme différence de niveau entre le groupe réduit de ses dauphines et le reste du peloton n'a pas permis d'assister à de véritables passes d'armes.[While Annemiek van Vleuten's performance should not be underestimated, we already knew that the Dutchwoman was above the rest. The enormous difference in level between the small group of runners-up and the rest of the peloton did not allow us to witness any real battles.]
↑ "Tour de France femmes: «Une belle surprise d'audience», se réjouit France Télévisions". Le Figaro (in French). 1 August 2022. Archived from the original on 1 September 2022. Retrieved 1 December 2023. «C'est une belle surprise d'audience», a indiqué à l'AFP Laurent-Eric Le Lay, directeur des sports de France Télévisions. «C'était un véritable test, et c'est une base très solide sur laquelle le monde du cyclisme va pouvoir construire».['It's a nice audience surprise,' Laurent-Eric Le Lay, sports director of France Télévisions, told AFP. 'It was a real test, and it is a very solid basis on which the world of cycling will be able to build.']
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