The Tour de France Femmes is set to begin in Lausanne, Switzerland, with anticipation building for the race’s inaugural ascent of Mont Ventoux. Riders will navigate 1,175km over nine stages, marking the most extensive route since the event rejoined the World Tour calendar as a stage race in 2022.
A significant highlight of the race is the stage-seven climb up Mont Ventoux, renowned for its telecommunications and meteorological tower at the summit. This iconic mountain stage has a long history in the men’s Tour, with past winners including Eddy Merckx, Marco Pantani, and Chris Froome. The mountain also holds a somber history, as British cyclist Tom Simpson died there in 1967.
Contenders and Key Stages
Among the contenders, last year’s winner, Pauline Ferrand-Prevot of Visma Lease a Bike, will be looking to replicate her success. She has prepared for the challenge of Mont Ventoux, stating she has climbed it multiple times since its inclusion in the Tour de France Femmes was announced. Ferrand-Prevot, who won the Paris Olympics gold in mountain biking in 2024, is noted for her climbing abilities.
Her rivals include Demi Vollering of FDJ-Suez United, who won the race in 2023 and secured second place in 2022. Vollering has been practicing her time-trial position, which could pose a threat to Ferrand-Prevot. Kasia Niewiadoma-Phinney of Canyon-SRAM, a past winner in 2024 and third-place finisher in 2025, is another strong competitor, having reached the podium in all four editions of the race.
This year’s race also features a team time trial, a discipline Ferrand-Prevot has not competed in since 2021, which her rivals may observe closely. The race director, Marion Rousse, highlighted the four-second gap between Niewiadoma and Vollering at Alpe d’Huez in 2024 as a memorable moment from previous editions.
British Hopes and Jersey Competitors
Several British riders are participating, including Zoe Backstedt of Canyon-SRAM, making her Tour debut. Backstedt, whose father Magnus won a stage of the 1998 Tour de France, has achieved seven wins this season and will target the stage-four time trial in Dijon. Her primary role, however, will be supporting her team-mate’s general classification ambitions.
Other British riders include three-time national road race champion Pfeiffer Georgi of Picnic-PostNL, Josie Nelson also from Picnic-PostNL, Alice Towers of EF Education-Oatly, Millie Couzens of Fenix-Premier Tech, and Robyn Clay of Picnic-PostNL. A notable absence is Cat Ferguson of Movistar, who will miss her debut due to ankle fractures.
Competitors for the polka dot jersey include Justine Ghekiere of AG Insurance-Soudal and Niewiadoma-Phinney, both previous winners, with Mavi Garcia of UAE Team L’imad as a strong rival. For the green sprinters’ jersey, Lorena Wiebes of SD Worx-Protime is a top contender, challenged by Elisa Balsamo of Lidl-Trek and Charlotte Kool of Fenix-Premier Tech.
In the white young riders’ jersey competition, Marion Bunel of Visma-Lease a Bike, who finished third in 2024, has a strong chance this year. Julie Bego of Cofidis and Nienke Vinke of Picnic-PostNL are also in contention for this jersey.
Fan Engagement and Race Growth
Fan engagement is a significant aspect of the Tour de France Femmes, with events like the Cheer Squad, coordinated by former pro racer Iris Slappendel. This initiative brings together cyclists of varying abilities and interests to support the race, particularly at locations like the Fontaine de La Grave on Mont Ventoux, located approximately 4.7 km from the summit.
Rousse, who spearheaded the race’s revival in 2021, noted that the growth of the Tour de France Femmes has been rapid. She emphasized that the race aims to accompany the evolution of women’s cycling, rather than outpacing it, to ensure its long-term success. Rousse also highlighted the increased public recognition of riders and the sport itself.
The Tour de France Femmes will cover nine stages, the most since its return to the World Tour calendar in 2022.
Source: bbc.co.uk
Leo Ashworth is a Sports News Writer at Latest News UK. He cut his teeth on regional sport before specialising in fast breaking-news writing. He focuses on rugby union, golf and boxing and is known for clear, deadline-driven reporting. He holds a degree in Journalism from the University of Central Lancashire and completed an NCTJ diploma. Now based in Newcastle, he follows the European Tour and boxes at an amateur gym. “Get it right first, then tell readers why it matters.”