EVENTS
Cycling fans from everywhere come together to cheer the women’s peloton 'IRIS' style: high energy, full colour, and a whole lot of love for the sport.
Whether you’re a long-time fan or new to pro cycling, this is your place.
Join us on Mont Ventoux and be part of something unforgettable.
What is The Cheer Squad?
Last year, we turned the Col du Granier into a full-blown celebration of women’s cycling and this year, we’re going even bigger. Join us on Friday, August 7 at Stage 7 of the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift and be part of the most colourful cheering crew in the peloton.
We’re rallying fans from far and wide to cheer IRIS style: bright, bold, and bursting with energy. To make it even more special, we’ve teamed up again with Eindhoven based creative geniuses HeyHeydeHaas to design a Limited Edition t-shirt just one of the treasures in your The Cheer Squad Swag Bag.
We’ve got the cheering materials covered and plans to paint the road so bright they’ll see us from space (or at least the TV helicopter!) So, grab your bike, your loudest voice, your brightest gear, and get ready to cheer on the badass women racing the Tour.
Why get a The Cheer Squad Swag Bag?
The Cheer Squad Swag Bag is your invitation to be part of something bigger. A way to show up, stand together, and celebrate the incredible women pushing the limits of the sport we love. Whether you’re dancing on the roadside, waving a flag, or just soaking in the atmosphere, The Cheer Squad is your space to belong.
At IRIS, we ride with colourful confidence and believe in building a community that celebrates individuality while lifting each other up. The Cheer Squad is that idea in action. A mountain full of fans, friends, and first-timers coming together to cheer not just for the race, but for what it represents.
Your The Cheer Squad Swag Bag will be available to order soon, so keep an eye on our channels. Once they’re ready, you can reserve your Swag Bag, select your t-shirt size and colour, and we’ll hand it over to you at Pista Café before the race.
How can you join?
1. Reserve your The Cheer Squad Swag Bag, collect it at Pista Café and then join us on the roadside of Mont Ventoux
2. Or just join us on the roadside of Mont Ventoux
Key Event Details:
Date: 7 August 2026
Location: Mont Ventoux (Fontaine de la Grave) from 12 pm
Cost: Free*
* Everyone is welcome to join us on Mont Ventoux, we will be sharing more information on how to secure your The Cheer Squad Swag Bag soon. Please not that the Swag Bag can only be picked up at Pista Café dates and times to be confirmed.
After retiring from a 12-year professional cycling career at the end of 2016, former Dutch National Road Champion Iris Slappendel began working on her new apparel brand; IRIS, her first name but also an abbreviation – ‘I Ride In Style’.
As a women-owned and led brand, IRIS is committed to creating long-term, sustainable change in the cycling world, from grassroots initiatives to the professional peloton. The Cheer Squad will seamlessly integrate these efforts, by creating a space to support women’s cycling whilst of course dressed in style.
“I am thrilled to organize our third consecutive The Cheer Squad to support women’s cycling and the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift this summer. As a former professional cyclist, it is incredible to see the growth in women’s cycling over the past decade. However, there is still much progress to be made. By creating The Cheer Squad and celebrating the pro peloton, we hope to contribute positively to the ongoing advancements in women’s cycling.”
HeyHeydeHaas have a passion for creating original content. They work hands-on, on design, brand and identity development in both the physical and digital realm. They strongly believe in the curiosity and intelligence of their clients and people in general.
For the Cheer Squad, IRIS teamed up with Eindhoven based creative agency HeyHeydeHaas to develop the concept and create custom campaigns and merchandise.
“Apart from being cycling enthusiasts and outdoor adventurers ourselves, we believe it’s past time the old boys networks in society move over and out of the way for equal opportunities and fairness. All the more reason to cheer for the femmes!”
