The Tour de France Femmes has reached the highest peaks. No, this time we're not referring to climbs and high mountain passes but to viewership data, particularly from the queen stage which yesterday concluded at the summit of Mont Ventoux with Niewiadoma's victory ahead of Vollering and Longo Borghini

According to figures released in France, the seventh stage of the race was watched on France 2 by an average of 3.1 million viewers (equivalent to 41.5% share) with a peak of 5.1 million people in front of their televisions (equivalent to 52.8% share).

These numbers, made public today, testify to how much women's cycling – and the choice of a mythical finish line like the "Giant of Provence" – attracts attention.

To these figures are added the statements from the French Sports Minister Marina Ferrari. The French politician, who yesterday followed the athletes' exploits from the race director's car, at the end of the stage thanked France Télévisions for how they are covering the event while emphasizing: «I hope that in future editions the work we are doing together will guarantee the public the chance to see all stages in full, the girls deserve it. We will push for this to happen».

What appears to be a clear statement of intent from the Minister could appease criticism from various social media users who have complained about the disparity between the men's and women's Tour de France and also about too much advertising broadcast during the stages.

Photo from social media showing the director of the Tour de Femmes Marion Rousse with the French sports minister Martina Ferrari