Lizzie Dienyan (Trek-Segafredo) urged ASO, organizer of the men's Tour de France, to further its commitment to women's cycling by creating a women's edition of the sport's biggest race.

The former world champion, who won La Course by Le Tour de France on Saturday in Nice, is satisfied with the one-day event but believes that a multi-day event linked to the men's Tour de France would help women's cycling develop and grow.

"I think being part of the Tour de France will definitely benefit us," she said.

"The Tour de France is the biggest race in the world and attracts the biggest crowds.

"As an athlete, of course I want a women's Tour de France. I want to push my limits and show what women's sport is all about. And of course women's sport is not just one stage. So naturally, I think there is room for development and growth. I think we are moving in that direction. But at the same time, I am happy that we have this opportunity today."

UCI President David Lapartient said ASO will launch a women's stage race in 2022, but could not confirm whether it will be officially named as the Women's Tour de France.

Dignan praised ASO for adding the first ever women's Paris-Roubaix to the revised Women's World Tour calendar after the original calendar was closed due to the COVID-29 coronavirus pandemic.

The event will take place on October 25, but organizers have yet to announce route details.

"I think we are in a really exciting time in women's cycling and I was really excited and happy that even in a pandemic year there was good news for women's cycling. Paris-Roubaix has been added to the calendar in a very difficult year for cycling. I think this is proof that there are a lot of people who want to see women's cycling grow," Dignan said.

"I have obviously been in the sport for quite a long time and I feel we are constantly improving. We're never regressing. But I don't think we're going to regress any further, and I think that's the most important step. I think any young female cyclist right now can see that she has a career as a professional cyclist.

Deignan was part of a six-rider breakaway group that sprinted to the finish line in La Course. She held off Marianne Vos (CCC-Liv) and Demi Vollaring (Parkhotel Valkenburg), but it was teammate Elisa Longo Borghini who led her to victory.

"I am just relieved to have won," Deignan said. Trek Segafredo put in a great performance today. Elisa did a perfect job. Elisa did a perfect job and got Marianne to sprint early. [Team directors and former riders] Ina-Joko Teutenberg and Giorgia Bronzini have beaten Marianne Vos in many sprints.

The cycling season was closed for five months due to the COVID-19 coronavirus, but top-class racing resumed on August 1 at Strade Bianche.

Deignan said he was pleased that ASO was able to conduct La Course under strict health protocols and that he felt as safe racing in Nice as he did in the first stage of the men's Tour de France.

"Yeah, of course the atmosphere is different," he said. And I feel it's been a difficult season, not only for cycling, but for everyone in society and in the community."

"I think it's really great and I have a lot of respect for the organization here for starting the Tour de France this way. I feel completely safe. The citizens have been very respectful. And you can still be an elite sport in a really difficult time for everyone. But it's still possible. I'm proud to be a part of this race. And I'm very grateful to be here."

Deignan, who also won Tuesday's GP de Ploué, is the leader in the Women's World Tour and will wear the purple leader's jersey at the next race, the Giro Rosa, in September. She will also focus on the Tour de Flanders in October.

"A pleasant surprise. I'm looking forward to wearing [the women's WorldTour jersey]. I'm always honored."