{"id":2071219,"date":"2026-07-31T15:26:58","date_gmt":"2026-07-31T12:26:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2071219"},"modified":"2026-07-31T15:26:58","modified_gmt":"2026-07-31T12:26:58","slug":"riders-from-canada-cuba-mexico-and-usa-among-13-north-americans-in-the-2026-tour-de-france-femmes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2071219","title":{"rendered":"Riders from Canada, Cuba, Mexico and USA among 13 North Americans in the 2026 Tour de France Femmes"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QnpMiA23HXwhj3osep5Ur4-2100-80.jpg&#8221;]<\/p>\n<article class=\"m-0 box-border flex flex-row items-center pr-2.5 gap-[15px] w-[278px] h-20 flex-none upnext-article-divider\" role=\"listitem\" aria-label=\"Recommended article 1 of 3\">\n<div class=\"relative flex-none w-20 h-20\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/x2erRPrkRHSd8wS8rNtXkN-160-80.jpg.webp 160w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/x2erRPrkRHSd8wS8rNtXkN-80-80.jpg.webp 80w\" sizes=\"80px\" \/><\/p>\n<div class=\"flex items-center justify-center absolute w-4 h-6 left-0 top-0 bg-white\/90 flex-none z-[1]\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><span class=\"font-normal text-base leading-[17px] tracking-[1.3px] uppercase text-black flex-none\">1<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"flex flex-col items-center justify-center gap-1.5 w-[173px] h-20 flex-none\">\n<p class=\"font-article-heading font-medium text-base leading-[21px] text-gray-800 w-[173px] line-clamp-3 group-hover:underline\">\n                                    Tour de France Femmes contenders \u2013 Demi Vollering and Pauline Ferrand-Pr\u00e9vot poised for fantastic duel with Ventoux finale\n                                <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article class=\"m-0 box-border flex flex-row items-center pr-2.5 gap-[15px] w-[278px] h-20 flex-none upnext-article-divider\" role=\"listitem\" aria-label=\"Recommended article 2 of 3\">\n<div class=\"relative flex-none w-20 h-20\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/wer6QLcyXjxskivvUjjhLj-160-80.jpg.webp 160w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/wer6QLcyXjxskivvUjjhLj-80-80.jpg.webp 80w\" sizes=\"80px\" \/><\/p>\n<div class=\"flex items-center justify-center absolute w-[18px] h-6 left-0 top-0 bg-white\/90 flex-none z-[1]\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><span class=\"font-normal text-base leading-[17px] tracking-[1.3px] uppercase text-black flex-none\">2<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"flex flex-col items-center justify-center gap-1.5 w-[173px] h-20 flex-none\">\n<p class=\"font-article-heading font-medium text-base leading-[21px] text-gray-800 w-[173px] line-clamp-3 group-hover:underline\">\n                                    How to watch Tour de France Femmes 2026 \u2013 Live streams and official broadcasters\n                                <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article class=\"m-0 box-border flex flex-row items-center pr-2.5 gap-[15px] w-[278px] h-20 flex-none\" role=\"listitem\" aria-label=\"Recommended article 3 of 3\">\n<div class=\"relative flex-none w-20 h-20\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RktS6xfeM3cRGVHJ8omGz6-160-80.jpg.webp 160w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RktS6xfeM3cRGVHJ8omGz6-80-80.jpg.webp 80w\" sizes=\"80px\" \/><\/p>\n<div class=\"flex items-center justify-center absolute w-[18px] h-6 left-0 top-0 bg-white\/90 flex-none z-[1]\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><span class=\"font-normal text-base leading-[17px] tracking-[1.3px] uppercase text-black flex-none\">3<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"flex flex-col items-center justify-center gap-1.5 w-[173px] h-20 flex-none\">\n<p class=\"font-article-heading font-medium text-base leading-[21px] text-gray-800 w-[173px] line-clamp-3 group-hover:underline\">\n                                    &#8216;New opportunity, a fresh page&#8217; \u2013 Kasia Niewiadoma-Phinney chases another Tour de France Femmes victory with team that delivers debuts for B\u00e4ckstedt, Kl\u00f6ser, Niedermaier\n                                <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article class=\"page-content-onecol flex-1\nnews-article article\n\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"widget-area-group widget-area-group-2col flex flex-wrap box-border\">\n<div id=\"widgetArea16\" class=\"widget-area basis-full md:basis-2\/3 widget-area-g-md-vp-2-3 widget-area-g-lg-vp-2-3 widget-area-g-xl-vp-2-3 page-widget-area-16\">\n<div data-widget-type=\"hero\" id=\"hero\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-hero widget-hero widget-hero-hero widget-hero widget-hero-fter-news\">\n<div class=\"news-article\">\n<header data-component-name=\"Article:Hero\">\n<nav class=\"breadcrumb\" aria-label=\"Breadcrumbs\">\n<ol>\n<li>\nPro Cycling\n<\/li>\n<li>\nRacing\n<\/li>\n<li>\nWomen&#8217;s Cycling\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/nav>\n<h1>Riders from Canada, Cuba, Mexico and USA among 13 North Americans in the 2026 Tour de France Femmes<\/h1>\n<div class=\"byline-social\">\n<div class=\"vds-byline-block flex flex-row flex-nowrap my-1.5 gap-2 text-left items-start justify-start\" data-component-name=\"Article:BylineBlock\">\n<p>Features<\/p>\n<div class=\"my-auto vds-simple-byline\"><span class=\"inline-block vds-author\"><br \/>\nBy<br \/>\nJackie Tyson <\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"flex gap-1 vds-byline-with-avatar__meta\"><span class=\"vds-date block font-normal tracking-normal normal-case text-xs\"><br \/>\nPublished<br \/>\n<time data-component-name=\"UI:DateTime\" datetime=\"2026-07-31T15:26:58Z\" class=\"relative-date\"><br \/>\n31 July 2026<br \/>\n<\/time><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"strapline\">Isabella Holmgren leads a charge of five debutants, Canadian Alison Jackson and pair of US riders provide climbing arsenal for French squad St Michel-Preference Home-Auber93<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<aside class=\"text-gray-700 flex items-center mx-0 my-5 p-0 justify-start text-left\" id=\"affiliate-disclaimer\" data-component-name=\"AffiliateDisclaimer\" data-hawk-message=\"Affiliate disclaimer removed because hawk deemed there are no affiliate links on this page\">\n<p class=\"text-[color:var(--affiliate-disclaimer--text-color,inherit)] mb-2 text-[length:var(--affiliate-disclaimer--font-size,0.75rem)] leading-[18px] md:text-[13px] [&amp;&gt;a]:text-inherit [&amp;&gt;a]:underline\">\nWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here\u2019s how it works.\n<\/p>\n<\/aside>\n<\/header>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-widget-type=\"contentparsed\" id=\"content\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-contentparsed widget-content widget-contentparsed-content widget-content-parsed widget-content-parsed-content_document \">\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<section class=\"content-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"box less-space hero-image-wrapper\">\n<figure class=\"mb-0\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QnpMiA23HXwhj3osep5Ur4-1920-80.jpg.webp 1920w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QnpMiA23HXwhj3osep5Ur4-1600-80.jpg.webp 1600w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QnpMiA23HXwhj3osep5Ur4-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QnpMiA23HXwhj3osep5Ur4-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QnpMiA23HXwhj3osep5Ur4-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QnpMiA23HXwhj3osep5Ur4-750-80.jpg.webp 750w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QnpMiA23HXwhj3osep5Ur4-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QnpMiA23HXwhj3osep5Ur4-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QnpMiA23HXwhj3osep5Ur4-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 600px, 100vw\" \/><figcaption class=\"font-article-copy text-(--image--text--color) font-article-copy mt-2\"><span class=\"caption-text font-article-copy\">Two of the top North American riders at this year&#8217;s Tour de France Femmes are from Canada, Isabella Holmgren (Lidl-Trek), who was the best young rider at the Giro d&#8217;Italia Women, and world champion Magdeleine Vallieres (EF Education-Oatly)<\/span><span class=\"credit font-article-copy\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div data-component-name=\"Article:JumpTo\" class=\"contents\" data-only-inline=\"1\">\n<div class=\"visible flex flex-row flex-nowrap sticky max-lg:-ml-5 top-[var(--site-header-height,60px)] sm:top-0 z-[9994] w-screen lg:w-full h-[50px] bg-white p-0 mb-5 border-neutral-200 border border-solid\" data-component-name=\"Article:JumpTo:Variants:Inline\" data-analytics-id=\"sticky-nav\" id=\"sticky-nav--inline\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"sticky-nav\">\n<div class=\"flex flex-row w-full h-full overflow-x-scroll overflow-y-hidden tracking-normal overscroll-x-contain\" id=\"sticky-nav__scroll-container\"><span class=\"pl-4 my-auto text-base font-semibold font-article-heading lg:pl-3 lg:text-sm whitespace-nowrap uppercase\">Jump To:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"flex flex-row w-auto border-y-0\">\n<li class=\"inline-flex after:content-[&apos;&apos;] after:inline-block after:relative after:h-3\/6 after:w-px after:bg-neutral-200 after:top-1\/4\nborder-b-[3px] border-b-(--jumpto-underline-color) border-solid font-semibold \" data-component-name=\"Article:JumpTo:Inline:Link\">\n<p>Canada<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"inline-flex after:content-[&apos;&apos;] after:inline-block after:relative after:h-3\/6 after:w-px after:bg-neutral-200 after:top-1\/4\n\" data-component-name=\"Article:JumpTo:Inline:Link\">\n<p>United States<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"inline-flex after:content-[&apos;&apos;] after:inline-block after:relative after:h-3\/6 after:w-px after:bg-neutral-200 after:top-1\/4\n\" data-component-name=\"Article:JumpTo:Inline:Link\">\n<p>Cuba<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"inline-flex after:content-[&apos;&apos;] after:inline-block after:relative after:h-3\/6 after:w-px after:bg-neutral-200 after:top-1\/4\n\" data-component-name=\"Article:JumpTo:Inline:Link\">\n<p>Mexico<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"article-body\" class=\"text-copy bodyCopy auto paywall-locker\">\n<div data-analytics-id=\"utility-bar\" id=\"utility-bar\" class=\"font-ui-heading flex justify-between items-center py-2 border-t border-b border-gray-300 border-solid mb-5 mx-auto\" data-component-name=\"UtilityBar\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"utility-bar\">\n<div class=\"flex gap-2 text-[#333] subcontainer\">\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<div data-component-name=\"Social:Dropdown\" role=\"menu\" id=\"utilitybar__dropdown--share\" aria-labelledby=\"utilitybar__button--share\" class=\"absolute left-0 top-full w-44 bg-white rounded-md shadow-md border border-neutral-200 z-[9996] list-none m-0 py-2 px-3 border-solid\">\n<ul class=\"m-0!\">\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>Facebook<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>X<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>Pinterest<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>Email<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-share-this-article\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nShare this article\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\"><span class=\"ml-1 inline-flex h-5 px-2 shrink-0 items-center justify-center self-center overflow-hidden whitespace-nowrap rounded-[10px] bg-primary-500 text-[11px] leading-none font-ui-heading font-semibold text-white\">0<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-join-the-conversation\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nJoin the conversation\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"flex gap-2 text-[#333] subcontainer\">\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<p>Follow us<\/p>\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-add-us-as-a-preferred-source-on-google\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nAdd us as a preferred source on Google\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-subscribe-to-our-newsletter\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nSubscribe to our newsletter\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p id=\"elk-517892ee-8c49-11f1-abbd-87a4cffc5221\">The biggest theatre for women&#8217;s pro cycling raises the curtain on Saturday for nine days of racing at the Tour de France Femmes avec Swift. The pageantry of international riders and swirl of new team colours will blend quickly during the Grand D\u00e9part in Lausanne, Switzerland, where the first yellow jersey will be awarded after a climb above Lake Geneva.<\/p>\n<p>There are 13 riders from North America on nine teams in the field, representing Canada, Cuba, Mexico and the United States. Five of those competitors make their debut at this Grand Tour.<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-517892ee-8c49-11f1-abbd-87a4cffc5221-2\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">World champion Magdeleine Vallieres (EF Education-Oatly) is still just 24 years old and has competed in all four previous editions of the modern Tour de France for women, the most appearances of any in this continental contingent. Her teammate and USPro road champion Kristen Faulkner returns for a third time. The same goes for USA&#8217;s Lily Williams (Human Powered Health) and Canadian Alison Jackson (St Michel-Preference Home-Auber93), who have each raced three times at the Tour.<\/p>\n<div class=\"my-6 w-full overflow-hidden rounded-[10px] lg:my-8\" data-component-name=\"JwPlayer:Carousel\" data-jwp-carousel data-jwp-carousel-payload=\"{&quot;ids&quot;:{&quot;playerID&quot;:&quot;jYDCcabO&quot;,&quot;searchPlaylistID&quot;:&quot;gwjdoYHD&quot;,&quot;divID&quot;:&quot;botr_gwjdoYHD_jYDCcabO_div&quot;,&quot;fallbackPlaylistID&quot;:&quot;gwjdoYHD&quot;,&quot;fallbackDivID&quot;:&quot;botr_gwjdoYHD_jYDCcabO_div&quot;,&quot;key&quot;:&quot;X9\/mXVGac0NphghLH9hZaqWA5d3dhAM\/Ih07grnEyMLjuO2E&quot;,&quot;tintLogo&quot;:true,&quot;useSearchPlaylist&quot;:false,&quot;enabled&quot;:true},&quot;signPostingEnabled&quot;:true,&quot;signPostingLinkEnabled&quot;:true,&quot;waitForAdLoad&quot;:false,&quot;hidePlayerOnDesktop&quot;:false,&quot;hidePlayerOnMobile&quot;:false,&quot;hidePlayerOnTablet&quot;:false}\">\n<div class=\"flex flex-nowrap items-center justify-between gap-3 bg-zinc-900 px-[14px] py-3\" data-jwp-carousel-header>\n<div class=\"flex min-w-0 shrink items-center\"><span class=\"inline-flex items-center gap-1.5 text-sm font-article-heading capitalize leading-5 text-white whitespace-nowrap\"><span class=\"jwp-carousel-title-desktop\">Latest Videos From<\/span><span class=\"jwp-carousel-brand\">Cyclingnews<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"min-h-[44px] bg-zinc-900 px-[14px] py-3\" data-jwp-carousel-signposting><a class=\"invisible block truncate text-sm font-bold leading-5 text-white underline decoration-solid underline-offset-2\" data-jwp-carousel-signposting-link href target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span data-jwp-carousel-signposting-title>Watch full video here: <\/span><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">What eludes these Grand Tour veterans is a first-time stage win at the world&#8217;s biggest stage race. It&#8217;s hard to believe many of these accomplished riders have yet to post a result from the Tour.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Here is a look at the abundance of talent from across North America who will compete over the next nine days, August 1-9, to support team leaders and grab opportunities for stage wins at the Tour de France Femmes.<\/p>\n<aside data-component-name=\"Recirculation:ArticleRiver\" data-recirculation-type=\"inline\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"Trending Bar\" data-nosnippet class=\"clear-both pt-2 pb-0 mb-4\"><span class=\"\n            flex\n            after:content-[&apos;&apos;] after:flex-1 after:ml-4 after:my-[0.7rem] after:border-t after:border-solid after:border-t-[#ccc]\n            before:content-[&apos;&apos;] before:flex-1 before:mr-4 before:my-[0.7rem] before:border-t before:border-solid before:border-t-[#ccc]\n            font-article-heading pb-0 text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,1em)] uppercase sm:text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,0.875em)] font-bold\n        \"><br \/>\n            You may like<br \/>\n        <\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"flex flex-col gap-0 m-0 max-w-full\">\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-1\" id=\"recirculation-inline-1\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-1\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-1\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/oNL5LRQrihiFfcMJAHKNRU-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/oNL5LRQrihiFfcMJAHKNRU-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">The seven riders from Australia and New Zealand taking to the start line at the Tour de France Femmes<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-2\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-2\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-2\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/x2erRPrkRHSd8wS8rNtXkN-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/x2erRPrkRHSd8wS8rNtXkN-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">Tour de France Femmes contenders \u2013 Demi Vollering and Pauline Ferrand-Pr\u00e9vot poised for fantastic duel with Ventoux finale<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ccc] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-3\" id=\"recirculation-inline-3\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-3\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-3\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/h62jRZjQYyMgvcAPGGLq5L-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/h62jRZjQYyMgvcAPGGLq5L-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">&#8216;We still have to win a race before the year ends&#8217; \u2013 Alison Jackson and ambitious St Michel squad aim high at the Tour de France Femmes and beyond<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<h2 class=\"article-body__section kiosq-b\" id=\"section-canada\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><span>Canada<\/span><\/h2>\n<h4 class=\"article-body__section kiosq-b\" id=\"section-magdeleine-vallieres-ef-education-oatly\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><span>Magdeleine Vallieres (EF Education-Oatly)<\/span><\/h4>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-ebe9783e-8c58-11f1-b498-a56b2b6adcd8\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JBVWR7WoqgCDStoJyohBLe-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JBVWR7WoqgCDStoJyohBLe-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JBVWR7WoqgCDStoJyohBLe-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JBVWR7WoqgCDStoJyohBLe-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JBVWR7WoqgCDStoJyohBLe-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JBVWR7WoqgCDStoJyohBLe-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Magdeleine Vallieres of EF Education-Oatly finished 10th on stage 9 at the 2026 Giro d&#8217;Italia Women, moving to 12th on GC <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-ebe978d4-8c58-11f1-8964-233a45abc21e\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">World champion Magdeleine Vallieres has her eyes focused and legs primed for the mountains at this hilly Tour de France. The abundance of climbing is suited to her attacking style, and she said recently: &#8220;I&#8217;m mostly excited about stage five and the stage in Nice, but any stages where I can try to be aggressive, I am looking forward to&#8221;.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The Canadian climber has started in all four of the previous editions of the revived Tour de France Femmes, last year finishing eighth across hilly terrain into Ambert on stage 6, and then helping French teammate C\u00e9drine Kerbaol to eighth overall in the GC after the final three mountain stages. She&#8217;ll support Kerbaol again, but this time has the jersey as World Champion for added inspiration.<\/p>\n<div id=\"slice-container-newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-kxeSNiMMLeeMqgWSvFnHWG\" class=\"slice-container newsletter-inbodyContent-slice newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-kxeSNiMMLeeMqgWSvFnHWG slice-container-newsletterForm\">\n<div data-hydrate=\"true\" class=\"newsletter-form__wrapper newsletter-form__wrapper--inbodyContent\">\n<div class=\"newsletter-form__container\">\n<section class=\"newsletter-form__top-bar\">\n<div class=\"newsletter-form__header\">Get The Leadout Newsletter<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section class=\"newsletter-form__main-section\">\n<p class=\"newsletter-form__strapline\">The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!<\/p>\n<footer class=\"newsletter-form__footer \">By submitting your information you agree to the Terms &amp; Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.<\/footer>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The 24-year-old Canadian hasn&#8217;t won a race yet in the rainbow stripes, though she&#8217;s had top 10s at Setmana Ciclista Volta Femenina and Giro d&#8217;Italia stage races. At the Giro, she had the best placement in the GC for EF Education-EasyPost in 12th, so she can provide leadership if needed.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"article-body__section kiosq-b\" id=\"section-isabella-holmgren-lidl-trek\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><span>Isabella Holmgren (Lidl-Trek)<\/span><\/h2>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-ee3041fa-8c61-11f1-9f2c-e5bc1d7a7c37\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Y2j6wt65BbBFNbXhVv2hs6-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Y2j6wt65BbBFNbXhVv2hs6-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Y2j6wt65BbBFNbXhVv2hs6-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Y2j6wt65BbBFNbXhVv2hs6-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Y2j6wt65BbBFNbXhVv2hs6-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Y2j6wt65BbBFNbXhVv2hs6-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Isabella Holmgren of Canada (Lidl &#8211; Trek) celebrates at podium as White Best Young Rider Jersey winner the 2026 Giro d&#8217;Italia Women <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-ee30425e-8c61-11f1-8f05-a33ccc5fcb6b\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Isabella Holmgren makes her debut at the Tour de France Femmes and is expected to excel with her climbing skills on seven of the nine stages. The best young rider from this year&#8217;s Giro d&#8217;Italia Women, the 21-year-old Canadian headlines the 26 riders expected to make up the under-23 youth competition at the Tour, and will be a favourite for the white jersey.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Lidl-Trek is counting on her all-around skills as a one-two punch with Niamh Fisher-Black for both stage and GC performances.<\/p>\n<aside data-component-name=\"Recirculation:ArticleRiver\" data-recirculation-type=\"inline\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"Trending Bar\" data-nosnippet class=\"clear-both pt-2 pb-0 mb-4\"><span class=\"\n            flex\n            after:content-[&apos;&apos;] after:flex-1 after:ml-4 after:my-[0.7rem] after:border-t after:border-solid after:border-t-[#ccc]\n            before:content-[&apos;&apos;] before:flex-1 before:mr-4 before:my-[0.7rem] before:border-t before:border-solid before:border-t-[#ccc]\n            font-article-heading pb-0 text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,1em)] uppercase sm:text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,0.875em)] font-bold\n        \"><br \/>\n            What to read next<br \/>\n        <\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"flex flex-col gap-0 m-0 max-w-full\">\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-1\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2-1\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-1\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-1\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/iemamTjEsJtjARAiDGwUDD-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/iemamTjEsJtjARAiDGwUDD-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">Wide open Tour de Suisse Women as Demi Vollering skips race to prepare for Tour de France Femmes &#8211; Analysing the contenders<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-2\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2-2\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-2\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-2\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6Qwro5SviMvjEWT5r6dTD4-250-80.png.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6Qwro5SviMvjEWT5r6dTD4-150-80.png.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">Can FDJ United-SUEZ defend their title without Demi Vollering? \u2013 Analysing the contenders for La Vuelta Femenina 2026<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ccc] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-3\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2-3\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-3\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-3\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/zGGKQ8CVaKpYUFXtgyx7CC-250-80.png.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/zGGKQ8CVaKpYUFXtgyx7CC-150-80.png.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">Demi Vollering and Elisa Longo Borghini set to do battle, but super strong rivals could surprise them \u2013 Analysing the contenders for the Giro d&#8217;Italia Women<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;Mont Ventoux will show the best climbers of the Tour, and we have good chances there with Bella and Niamh on the start line,&#8221; said Ina-Yoko Teutenberg, Lidl-Trek&#8217;s lead sports director. &#8220;We start the race with a first priority for stage wins, and then we see where we can end up on GC with Bella and Niamh both being co-leaders.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The Lidl-Trek team hopes she will invigorate a roster of veterans who, surprisingly, have yet to capture a stage win at the Tour over the last five years.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"article-body__section kiosq-b\" id=\"section-sarah-van-dam-visma-lease-a-bike\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><span>Sarah van Dam (Visma-Lease a Bike)<\/span><\/h2>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-624ea8b0-8c62-11f1-b969-834b24f670fa\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3VDDFHiQuBUHZ7eus3Dq9E-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3VDDFHiQuBUHZ7eus3Dq9E-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3VDDFHiQuBUHZ7eus3Dq9E-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3VDDFHiQuBUHZ7eus3Dq9E-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3VDDFHiQuBUHZ7eus3Dq9E-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3VDDFHiQuBUHZ7eus3Dq9E-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Sarah van Dam Visma-Lease a Bike crosses the finish line on stage 2 of Tour de Suisse in second place <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-ee30431c-8c61-11f1-9439-ab13761cdc45\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Visma-Lease a Bike has set up its squad to support the Tour de France Femmes title defense for Pauline Ferrand-Pr\u00e9vot, but also given freedom to riders like 24-year-old Canadian Sarah van Dam to go for stage wins, Team Manager Rutger Tijssen saying, &#8220;if you&#8217;re racing at the front, you&#8217;re always in contention for victory&#8221;.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">This is Van Dam&#8217;s second consecutive appearance at the French Grand Tour, returning with strong performances across the Spring Classics and into Vuelta Espa\u00f1a and Tour de Suisse Women.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">In the two stage races she landed six top 10s on stages, including seventh overall in Switzerland. While the massive mountain climb to Mont Ventoux may not be her ideal ascent, she can help launch team leader Ferrand-Prevot there and look to thrive across other hilly terrain during the week.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"article-body__section kiosq-b\" id=\"section-alison-jackson-st-michel-preference-home-auber93\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><span>Alison Jackson (St Michel-Preference Home-Auber93)<\/span><\/h2>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-cf44f3d8-8c68-11f1-9d2b-b5ffb0d3dee8\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QpkZMCwEofZqpBzdcTKz4F-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QpkZMCwEofZqpBzdcTKz4F-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QpkZMCwEofZqpBzdcTKz4F-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QpkZMCwEofZqpBzdcTKz4F-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QpkZMCwEofZqpBzdcTKz4F-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QpkZMCwEofZqpBzdcTKz4F-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Alison Jackson of ST MICHEL &#8211; PREFERENCE HOME &#8211; AUBER93 is awarded as the most combative rider after stage 5 of the Giro d&#8217;Italia Women <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-cf44f770-8c68-11f1-9649-fb9708ac0c84\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Former Canadian road champion Alison Jackson comes to her fourth Tour de France Femmes, this time leading the hunt for stage wins for French ProTeam St Michel-Preference Home-Auber93. Her speciality comes in one-day races, no matter the distance or the surface, having taken her signature Classics victory in 2023 at Paris-Roubaix Femmes. But she&#8217;s also won a stage at the Vuelta Espa\u00f1a and taken several podiums at international gravel races.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">She is a dangerous rider if allowed to steal away in a breakaway, which almost landed her a win on stage 7 at this year&#8217;s Giro d&#8217;Italia, ending one spot off the podium in a four-rider sprint, but with the consolation prize as most combative rider. After a handful of races at home in Canada, where she went fourth this time at road nationals, the 37-year-old spent three weeks in Colorado training at elevation with her teammates in preparation for the Tour de France.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"article-body__section kiosq-b\" id=\"section-kiara-lylyk-mayenne-monbana-mypie\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><span>Kiara Lylyk (Mayenne Monbana MyPie)<\/span><\/h2>\n<p id=\"elk-cf44f86a-8c68-11f1-8a7e-4dc7e6bc93b6\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Another rider who should vye for the white best young rider&#8217;s jersey is 22-year-old Kiara Lylyk. She made her first appearance at the Tour last year when the Mayenne Monbana MyPie squad flew under the branding of Winspace Orange Seal.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Lylyk has a gold medal from Team Pursuit from the 2023 Pan American Track Championships, and that same year earned her first UCI top five as an elite rider at Tour de Gatineau.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">She comes into the race in good form with a fifth place on the hilly opening stage at Volta Catalunya and followed with four stage top 10s at Volta a Portugal.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"article-body__section kiosq-b\" id=\"section-nadia-gontova-liv-alula-jayco\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><span>Nadia Gontova (Liv-AlUla-Jayco)<\/span><\/h2>\n<p id=\"elk-cf44f9aa-8c68-11f1-925f-c1df77b14f73\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The reigning Canadian time trial champion is Nadia Gontova, makes her second appearance at the Tour but this time with Liv-AlUla-Jayco. Riding last year she as the top performer on the ProTeam Winspace Orange Seal squad, Gontova finished 10th on the final stage and went 23rd overall.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">She&#8217;s proven that climbing is her forte, earning second on GC at last year&#8217;s Tour F\u00e9minin International des Pyr\u00e9n\u00e9es just a year after taking the same GC position at UCI stage races Tour of the Gila and Vuelta a Colombia.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">While her only victory this year has been in the ITT at nationals, she&#8217;s had top 20 results on GC at Giro d&#8217;Italia Women and Tour de Suisse.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"article-body__section kiosq-b\" id=\"section-united-states\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><span>United States<\/span><\/h3>\n<h2 class=\"article-body__section kiosq-b\" id=\"section-kristen-faulkner-ef-education-oatly\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><span>Kristen Faulkner (EF Education-Oatly)<\/span><\/h2>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-154d7cd6-8ce8-11f1-bc89-13b107cc2807\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/GxkmZsyEbQkH5gez9CPYYm-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/GxkmZsyEbQkH5gez9CPYYm-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/GxkmZsyEbQkH5gez9CPYYm-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/GxkmZsyEbQkH5gez9CPYYm-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/GxkmZsyEbQkH5gez9CPYYm-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/GxkmZsyEbQkH5gez9CPYYm-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">US rider Kristen Faulkner of EF Education-Oatly <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-154d7d44-8ce8-11f1-b73c-7f0216f66358\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Olympic champion Kristen Faulkner has won stages at the Giro and Vuelta but her quest to complete the set at all three Grand Tours remains unfinished business. Her EF Education-Oatly team remains winless as well at the Tour de France, so taking each stage as a one-day race could have a double effect.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The 21km ITT on stage 4 is a prime day for the 33-year-old who won the Pan-American time trial to begin her season. Like her teammate Vallieres, Faulkner can also take advantage of breakaway opportunities on hilly terrain.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;As a team, I know we want to win a few stages, and I&#8217;d love to win a stage myself. It will be very hot so I&#8217;m really trying to acclimate to heat as much as possible. But I think it&#8217;s going to be difficult, no matter what,&#8221; Faulkner said in a team statement.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The 33-year-old US rider won&#8217;t be wearing the familiar stars-and-stripes jersey she&#8217;s held for two consecutive years, travel issues keeping her away USPro Nationals this year, and instead she focused on a European summer campaign at the Vuelta and Giro. After the last few weeks back in the US for altitude camp, Faulkner is one to watch each day at the Tour.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"article-body__section kiosq-b\" id=\"section-lily-williams-human-powered-health\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><span>Lily Williams (Human Powered Health)<\/span><\/h2>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-e935addc-8cea-11f1-94d1-710dfc3d2ea7\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/UUSEJksxj6dFueiE8mVohe-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/UUSEJksxj6dFueiE8mVohe-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/UUSEJksxj6dFueiE8mVohe-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/UUSEJksxj6dFueiE8mVohe-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/UUSEJksxj6dFueiE8mVohe-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/UUSEJksxj6dFueiE8mVohe-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Lily Williams of Human Powered Health crosses the finish line in second place on stage 3 at Giro d&#8217;Italia Women 2026 <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-e935ae7c-8cea-11f1-bb2f-0711a4d5e92e\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">An Olympic Champion on the track, Lily Williams is on another track this year, which is a pathway to a UCI road victory. She has two runner-up results at her last stage races &#8211; Tour de Suisse Women and Giro d&#8217;Italia Women, and this year&#8217;s Tour de France has a handful of finishes suited to her ability to cover some climbing and save a kick at the end.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;I think the harder sprint definitely suits me more,&#8221; she said after her stage 3 at the Giro, where she launched early and managed to gap the field with eventual winner Elisa Balsamo (Lidl-Trek). There are a number of stages at the Tour that have similar terrain with rolling hills, a couple of late categorised climbs and then a punchy finish, including stage 1 in Switzerland with a 2.5km uphill finale. An eighth Grand Tour has lots of opportunities for Williams.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"article-body__section kiosq-b\" id=\"section-natalie-quinn-mayenne-monbana-mypie\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><span>Natalie Quinn (Mayenne Monbana MyPie)<\/span><\/h2>\n<p id=\"elk-f973fa74-8cee-11f1-824d-354fcbdd3f44\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">This French team features two North Americans on the Tour roster and Natalie Quinn is the US representative alongside Canadian Kiara Lylyk. Last month at the Volta a Portugal, both landed in the top 15 on GC, with Quinn the better of the duo in 11th overall<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Quinn is a Tour debutant at age 24 and looks to make an impact on the favoured hilly terrain. She won the mountains classification at the 2025 Volta a Portugal. At the end of last season she earned sixth in a stacked field at Maryland Cycling Classic. Most recently, she finished ninth at a hilly La P\u00e9rigord Ladies in France.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"article-body__section kiosq-b\" id=\"section-heidi-franz-and-caroline-wreszin-st-michel-preference-home-auber93\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><span>Heidi Franz and Caroline Wreszin (St Michel-Preference Home-Auber93)<\/span><\/h2>\n<p id=\"elk-f973fb50-8cee-11f1-877d-cfbb84e2e6d1\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">When French road team St Michel-Preference Home-Auber93 committed three weeks to a training camp for the Tour de France Femmes, they went in the unlikely direction of the US for high elevation in Colorado. With team sponsors in the Boulder area and several team members from North America, it was a welcome experience for US riders Heidi Franz and Caroline Wreszin.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Both Franz and Wreszin make their Tour debuts this year, and for 10-year veteran Franz it is a welcome opportunity to showcase her all-around skills. While most of her success had been in the US, with GC win at Redlands Bicycle Classic and podiums at Joe Martin Stage Race, she&#8217;s built endurance on gravel with podiums at RADL GRVL, Nordic Gravel Series, then going 13th overall at UCI Gravel World Championships. Last year she won the mountains classification at Tour F\u00e9minin International des Pyr\u00e9n\u00e9es and was third overall at Volta a Portugal.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The 25-year-old Wreszin has a powerful engine for the time trial, finishing in the top 10 the last two years at USPro ITT nationals. The challenging mid-stage ascent will suit her climbing ability.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Look for both US riders to get in the action to help Alison Jackson get into late breaks, and to look for their own strikes.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"article-body__section kiosq-b\" id=\"section-cuba\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><span>Cuba<\/span><\/h3>\n<h2 class=\"article-body__section kiosq-b\" id=\"section-arlenis-sierra-movistar\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><span>Arlenis Sierra (Movistar)<\/span><\/h2>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-67724a66-8c69-11f1-af68-b1acabe1f31b\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/NLJxgPyvTsDwwJLrqZAzQC-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/NLJxgPyvTsDwwJLrqZAzQC-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/NLJxgPyvTsDwwJLrqZAzQC-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/NLJxgPyvTsDwwJLrqZAzQC-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/NLJxgPyvTsDwwJLrqZAzQC-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/NLJxgPyvTsDwwJLrqZAzQC-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Arlenis Sierra of Movistar on the attack at Paris-Roubaix <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-67724aca-8c69-11f1-911a-a15717adbfe3\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">All-rounder Arlenis Sierra has a growing medal count of Cuban national championships, winning both the road race and time trial titles in the same year four times. She then stopped racing after the double wins in 2024 to focus on growing her family and had a son, Marck, in March 2025. The 33-year-old is back in a big way for Movistar this year, coming second at Clasica de Almeria, riding to ninth at Paris-Roubaix Femmes and taking top 10s on stages at Vuelta Espa\u00f1a and Giro d&#8217;Italia.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The versatile Cuban rider will support Movistar team leader Marlen Reusser at this Tour, a second for Sierra. If Reusser falters in the the GC standings, look for Sierra to have a green light for an abundance of opportunities across hilly terrain where she thrives.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"article-body__section kiosq-b\" id=\"section-mexico\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><span>Mexico<\/span><\/h3>\n<h2 class=\"article-body__section kiosq-b\" id=\"section-romina-hinojosa-lotto-intermarche\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><span>Romina Hinojosa (Lotto-Intermarch\u00e9)<\/span><\/h2>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-9ea61156-8cf1-11f1-86fa-63c612dac366\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hNFSNoqXEJ4q7UnXkTRzEf-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hNFSNoqXEJ4q7UnXkTRzEf-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hNFSNoqXEJ4q7UnXkTRzEf-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hNFSNoqXEJ4q7UnXkTRzEf-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hNFSNoqXEJ4q7UnXkTRzEf-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hNFSNoqXEJ4q7UnXkTRzEf-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Romina Hinojosa of Mexico competes for Lotto-Intermarche Ladies at In Flanders Fields 2026 <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-9ea611c4-8cf1-11f1-8072-3b571b855486\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Another debutant at this year&#8217;s Tour is Romina Hinojosa of Lotto-Intermarch\u00e9, who makes just a second Grand Tour start in her burgeoning career after riding Vuelta Espa\u00f1a last season when the Lotto team was on the Continental level.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">She&#8217;s a solid climber who has finished with two silver medals at Mexican Road Nationals and now gets a chance to improve on the ProTeam level. The 23-year-old took on the Classics in Belgium this spring for the first time, calling it &#8220;a dream come true&#8221;, and had modest results, then improved after with fifth at the Internazionale cycling Festival, a time trial in Italy, and top 20 in GC at Volta a Portugal. Her main goal will be to support team leader Sandrine Tas at the Tour.<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-9ea61232-8cf1-11f1-8e7f-eb4a6609c62e\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\"><em><strong>Support our unrivalled coverage of the Tour de France Femmes and women&#8217;s cycling by subscribing to Cyclingnews. In return, you get unlimited access to high-quality journalism, with breaking news, race analysis, and expert insight from inside the women&#8217;s peloton. Plus, the Cyclingnews app lets you follow the action wherever you go!<\/strong><\/em><em><strong>Join today<\/strong><\/em><em><strong>.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"slice-container-authorBio-kxeSNiMMLeeMqgWSvFnHWG\" class=\"slice-container slice-author-bio authorBio-kxeSNiMMLeeMqgWSvFnHWG slice-container-authorBio\">\n<div class=\"author author__default-layout author--separator author--collapsible\" data-hydrate=\"true\">\n<div class=\"author__header\">\n<div class=\"author__avatar-block\">\n<figure class=\"image-wrapped__wrapper\" data-bordeaux-image-check=\"false\">\n<div class=\"image-wrapped__widthsetter\">\n<div class=\"image-wrapped__aspect-padding\">\n<div><source class=\"author__avatar image-wrapped__image image__image\" type=\"image\/gif\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/fnfpSfuM3neaK9DtSrBcKF-140-80.gif 140w\" sizes=\"99vw\" data-normal=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/fnfpSfuM3neaK9DtSrBcKF.gif\" data-original-mos=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/fnfpSfuM3neaK9DtSrBcKF.gif\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/fnfpSfuM3neaK9DtSrBcKF.gif\" data-pin-nopin=\"true\" data-slice-image=\"true\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__heading\">\n<div class=\"author__name\">Jackie Tyson<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__social\">\n<nav class=\"button-social-group author__social-buttons\" aria-labelledby=\"button-social-group- author__social-buttons\">\n<div id=\"button-social-group- author__social-buttons\">Social Links Navigation<\/div>\n<\/nav>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__role\">North American Editor<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__bio-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"author__biography\">\n<p>Jackie has been involved in professional sports for more than 30 years in news reporting, sports marketing and public relations. She founded Peloton Sports in 1998, a sports marketing and public relations agency, which managed projects for Tour de Georgia, Larry H. Miller Tour of Utah and USA Cycling. She also founded Bike Alpharetta Inc, a Georgia non-profit to promote safe cycling. She is proud to have worked in professional baseball for six years &#8211; from selling advertising to pulling the tarp for several minor league teams. On the bike, she has climbed l&#8217;Alpe d&#8217;Huez three times (not fast), and spends time on gravel around horse farms in north Georgia.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<div class=\"relative max-w-[1070px] viafoura-twig-component mt-6 mx-4 lg:mx-0\" data-component-name=\"Viafoura:Comments\" data-nosnippet data-community-guidelines-text=\"&lt;p class=&apos;vfcustom-community-guidelines&apos;&gt;Please follow our &lt;a href=&quot;https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/about\/#section-community-guidelines&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;community guidelines&lt;\/a&gt;.&lt;\/p&gt;\" data-join-the-conversation-text=\"Join the Conversation\">\n<div class=\"absolute top-0 left-0 w-full h-full flex items-center justify-center z-50 bg-white\/90 border-1 rounded-b-[var(--comment-widget-border-radius,0)]\">\n<div class=\"p-2 text-center\">\n<p class=\"mb-3 text-lg!\">You must confirm your public display name before commenting<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-3 text-sm!\">Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<section class=\"mx-2 my-5 sm:mx-0\">\n<aside class=\"w-full\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-stacked\">\n<div data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-adviser:hybrid\">\n<div class=\"text-white py-4 px-3 mb-4 bg-[#333] uppercase font-bold custom-header-styles\">Read more<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid grid-cols-1 gap-4 mt-4 mb-5\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/oNL5LRQrihiFfcMJAHKNRU-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/oNL5LRQrihiFfcMJAHKNRU-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/oNL5LRQrihiFfcMJAHKNRU-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/oNL5LRQrihiFfcMJAHKNRU-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/oNL5LRQrihiFfcMJAHKNRU-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">The seven riders from Australia and New Zealand taking to the start line at the Tour de France Femmes<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/x2erRPrkRHSd8wS8rNtXkN-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/x2erRPrkRHSd8wS8rNtXkN-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/x2erRPrkRHSd8wS8rNtXkN-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/x2erRPrkRHSd8wS8rNtXkN-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/x2erRPrkRHSd8wS8rNtXkN-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Tour de France Femmes contenders \u2013 Demi Vollering and Pauline Ferrand-Pr\u00e9vot poised for fantastic duel with Ventoux finale<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/h62jRZjQYyMgvcAPGGLq5L-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/h62jRZjQYyMgvcAPGGLq5L-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/h62jRZjQYyMgvcAPGGLq5L-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/h62jRZjQYyMgvcAPGGLq5L-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/h62jRZjQYyMgvcAPGGLq5L-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;We still have to win a race before the year ends&#8217; \u2013 Alison Jackson and ambitious St Michel squad aim high at the Tour de France Femmes and beyond<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/iemamTjEsJtjARAiDGwUDD-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/iemamTjEsJtjARAiDGwUDD-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/iemamTjEsJtjARAiDGwUDD-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/iemamTjEsJtjARAiDGwUDD-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/iemamTjEsJtjARAiDGwUDD-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Wide open Tour de Suisse Women as Demi Vollering skips race to prepare for Tour de France Femmes &#8211; Analysing the contenders<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6Qwro5SviMvjEWT5r6dTD4-840-80.png.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6Qwro5SviMvjEWT5r6dTD4-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6Qwro5SviMvjEWT5r6dTD4-500-80.png.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6Qwro5SviMvjEWT5r6dTD4-450-80.png.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6Qwro5SviMvjEWT5r6dTD4-320-80.png.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Can FDJ United-SUEZ defend their title without Demi Vollering? \u2013 Analysing the contenders for La Vuelta Femenina 2026<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/zGGKQ8CVaKpYUFXtgyx7CC-840-80.png.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/zGGKQ8CVaKpYUFXtgyx7CC-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/zGGKQ8CVaKpYUFXtgyx7CC-500-80.png.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/zGGKQ8CVaKpYUFXtgyx7CC-450-80.png.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/zGGKQ8CVaKpYUFXtgyx7CC-320-80.png.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Demi Vollering and Elisa Longo Borghini set to do battle, but super strong rivals could surprise them \u2013 Analysing the contenders for the Giro d&#8217;Italia Women<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside class=\"w-full\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-stacked\">\n<div data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-solr:latest-category\">\n<div class=\"text-white py-4 px-3 mb-4 bg-[#333] uppercase font-bold custom-header-styles\">Latest in Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid grid-cols-1 gap-4 mt-4 mb-5\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/R9fjniWKaCGHvYzTeSTkpW-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/R9fjniWKaCGHvYzTeSTkpW-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/R9fjniWKaCGHvYzTeSTkpW-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/R9fjniWKaCGHvYzTeSTkpW-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/R9fjniWKaCGHvYzTeSTkpW-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;Pressure is a privilege&#8217; \u2013 Calm, mature Demi Vollering taking Tour de France Femmes favourite status in her stride as search to reclaim yellow continues<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/A3ePqfdwqCHa9CWkNT7RgL-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/A3ePqfdwqCHa9CWkNT7RgL-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/A3ePqfdwqCHa9CWkNT7RgL-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/A3ePqfdwqCHa9CWkNT7RgL-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/A3ePqfdwqCHa9CWkNT7RgL-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;Everything needs to be perfect&#8217;\u00a0\u2013 Lorena Wiebes eyes Tour de France Femmes yellow jersey in Swiss uphill opener<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/h62jRZjQYyMgvcAPGGLq5L-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/h62jRZjQYyMgvcAPGGLq5L-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/h62jRZjQYyMgvcAPGGLq5L-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/h62jRZjQYyMgvcAPGGLq5L-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/h62jRZjQYyMgvcAPGGLq5L-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;We still have to win a race before the year ends&#8217; \u2013 Alison Jackson and ambitious St Michel squad aim high at the Tour de France Femmes and beyond<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ePxGEBDAcx43r8MiDvwGvn-840-80.png.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ePxGEBDAcx43r8MiDvwGvn-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ePxGEBDAcx43r8MiDvwGvn-500-80.png.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ePxGEBDAcx43r8MiDvwGvn-450-80.png.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ePxGEBDAcx43r8MiDvwGvn-320-80.png.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Five years in, this Tour de France Femmes looks like it will be the best edition yet<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/kiw4M2NRFdqtTPazzFAbQ7-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/kiw4M2NRFdqtTPazzFAbQ7-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/kiw4M2NRFdqtTPazzFAbQ7-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/kiw4M2NRFdqtTPazzFAbQ7-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/kiw4M2NRFdqtTPazzFAbQ7-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;I don&#8217;t think other teams know our strategy&#8217; \u2013 UAE Team L&#8217;IMAD start Tour de France Femmes with strength in depth and Longo Borghini and Blasi at the helm<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/T8r6nc4LCSG6ojytsGfLBD-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/T8r6nc4LCSG6ojytsGfLBD-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/T8r6nc4LCSG6ojytsGfLBD-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/T8r6nc4LCSG6ojytsGfLBD-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/T8r6nc4LCSG6ojytsGfLBD-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">SD Worx-Protime led by Lotte Kopecky, Lorena Wiebes and Anna van der Breggen at uncontrollable Tour de France Femmes with mixed ambitions<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside class=\"w-full\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-stacked\">\n<div data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-solr:latest-articletype\">\n<div class=\"text-white py-4 px-3 mb-4 bg-[#333] uppercase font-bold custom-header-styles\">Latest in Features<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid grid-cols-1 gap-4 mt-4 mb-5\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ePxGEBDAcx43r8MiDvwGvn-840-80.png.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ePxGEBDAcx43r8MiDvwGvn-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ePxGEBDAcx43r8MiDvwGvn-500-80.png.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ePxGEBDAcx43r8MiDvwGvn-450-80.png.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ePxGEBDAcx43r8MiDvwGvn-320-80.png.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Five years in, this Tour de France Femmes looks like it will be the best edition yet<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/LwGNhVYdXrv3dnnhovVZoi-840-80.png.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/LwGNhVYdXrv3dnnhovVZoi-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/LwGNhVYdXrv3dnnhovVZoi-500-80.png.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/LwGNhVYdXrv3dnnhovVZoi-450-80.png.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/LwGNhVYdXrv3dnnhovVZoi-320-80.png.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;I pick my battle, and I choose the Tour de France&#8217; \u2013 Forget year-long dominance, Pauline Ferrand-Pr\u00e9vot is all about delivering when it counts most<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/8p6Mc4zX9wMKoj4au5g4qe-840-80.png.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/8p6Mc4zX9wMKoj4au5g4qe-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/8p6Mc4zX9wMKoj4au5g4qe-500-80.png.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/8p6Mc4zX9wMKoj4au5g4qe-450-80.png.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/8p6Mc4zX9wMKoj4au5g4qe-320-80.png.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Pro Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Cooke&#8217;s Mont Ventoux masterclass and a C\u00f4te d&#8217;Azur classic \u2013 A history of the Tour de France Femmes&#8217; key climbs<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZJahVPMvGwMj9NetKqDxAN-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZJahVPMvGwMj9NetKqDxAN-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZJahVPMvGwMj9NetKqDxAN-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZJahVPMvGwMj9NetKqDxAN-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZJahVPMvGwMj9NetKqDxAN-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Helmets<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Design UAE Team Emirates-XRG\u2019s next helmet and you could win a trip to the 2027 UAE Tour<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/jYQwNfFJ6KcW6PUrza45Ck-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/jYQwNfFJ6KcW6PUrza45Ck-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/jYQwNfFJ6KcW6PUrza45Ck-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/jYQwNfFJ6KcW6PUrza45Ck-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/jYQwNfFJ6KcW6PUrza45Ck-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Will Tadej Poga\u010dar win a sixth Tour de France? &#8211; What can we expect from the 2027 Grand Boucle<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/sKWF6VNwL8aBFdUFVhiyPR-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/sKWF6VNwL8aBFdUFVhiyPR-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/sKWF6VNwL8aBFdUFVhiyPR-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/sKWF6VNwL8aBFdUFVhiyPR-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/sKWF6VNwL8aBFdUFVhiyPR-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Wheels &amp; Tyres<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">What are the fastest UCI-legal road wheels? Wind tunnel testing the big-name brands and Chinese contenders<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"widgetArea17\" class=\"widget-area md:basis-1\/3 widget-area-g-md-vp-1-3 widget-area-g-lg-vp-1-3 widget-area-g-xl-vp-1-3 page-widget-area-17\">\n<div data-widget-type=\"dynamic\" id=\"popular-data\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-dynamic widget-popular-data widget-dynamic-popular-data widget-dynamic-fter-popular-box\">\n<div class=\"wdn-fte-pb pos-relative space-t20\n\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"slice-container popular-box-slice\">\n<section class=\"popular-box\" data-component-name=\"Slice:PopularBox\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__label\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__label__tab popular-box__label__tab--active\" role=\"heading\">\nLATEST ARTICLES\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<ol class=\"popular-box__articles-list popular-box__articles-list--active\">\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__image-wrapper\">\n<div>\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/giMJ8qqaVDtvBzGobPWGYb-1280-80.jpg.webp 1280w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/giMJ8qqaVDtvBzGobPWGYb-720-80.jpg.webp 720w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/giMJ8qqaVDtvBzGobPWGYb-640-80.jpg.webp 640w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/giMJ8qqaVDtvBzGobPWGYb-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"99vw\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">1<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">\n<p>Tour de France Femmes bikes: An equipment guide for all 21 teams<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">2<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">\n<p>Tour de France runner-up Remco Evenepoel back to racing as Cl\u00e1sica San Sebasti\u00e1n top contender<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">3<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">\n<p>How to watch Cl\u00e1sica San Sebasti\u00e1n 2026: All the broadcasters and live streams<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">4<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">\n<p>&#8216;We still have to win a race before the year ends&#8217; \u2013 Alison Jackson and ambitious St Michel squad aim high at the Tour de France Femmes and beyond<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">5<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">\n<p>Incolour SSR review: Lightweight, aero, and shockingly uncomfortable<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article class=\"page-content-onecol flex-1\nnews-article article\n\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"widget-area-group widget-area-group-2col flex flex-wrap box-border\">\n<div id=\"widgetArea16\" class=\"widget-area basis-full md:basis-2\/3 widget-area-g-md-vp-2-3 widget-area-g-lg-vp-2-3 widget-area-g-xl-vp-2-3 page-widget-area-16\">\n<div data-widget-type=\"hero\" id=\"hero\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-hero widget-hero widget-hero-hero widget-hero widget-hero-fter-news\">\n<div class=\"news-article\">\n<header data-component-name=\"Article:Hero\">\n<nav class=\"breadcrumb\" aria-label=\"Breadcrumbs\">\n<ol>\n<li>\nPro Cycling\n<\/li>\n<li>\nRacing\n<\/li>\n<li>\nWomen&#8217;s Cycling\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/nav>\n<h1>Riders from Canada, Cuba, Mexico and USA among 13 North Americans in the 2026 Tour de France Femmes<\/h1>\n<div class=\"byline-social\">\n<div class=\"vds-byline-block flex flex-row flex-nowrap my-1.5 gap-2 text-left items-start justify-start\" data-component-name=\"Article:BylineBlock\">\n<p>Features<\/p>\n<div class=\"my-auto vds-simple-byline\"><span class=\"inline-block vds-author\"><br \/>\nBy<br \/>\nJackie Tyson <\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"flex gap-1 vds-byline-with-avatar__meta\"><span class=\"vds-date block font-normal tracking-normal normal-case text-xs\"><br \/>\nPublished<br \/>\n<time data-component-name=\"UI:DateTime\" datetime=\"2026-07-31T15:26:58Z\" class=\"relative-date\"><br \/>\n31 July 2026<br \/>\n<\/time><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"strapline\">Isabella Holmgren leads a charge of five debutants, Canadian Alison Jackson and pair of US riders provide climbing arsenal for French squad St Michel-Preference Home-Auber93<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<aside class=\"text-gray-700 flex items-center mx-0 my-5 p-0 justify-start text-left\" id=\"affiliate-disclaimer\" data-component-name=\"AffiliateDisclaimer\" data-hawk-message=\"Affiliate disclaimer removed because hawk deemed there are no affiliate links on this page\">\n<p class=\"text-[color:var(--affiliate-disclaimer--text-color,inherit)] mb-2 text-[length:var(--affiliate-disclaimer--font-size,0.75rem)] leading-[18px] md:text-[13px] [&amp;&gt;a]:text-inherit [&amp;&gt;a]:underline\">\nWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here\u2019s how it works.\n<\/p>\n<\/aside>\n<\/header>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-widget-type=\"contentparsed\" id=\"content\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-contentparsed widget-content widget-contentparsed-content widget-content-parsed widget-content-parsed-content_document \">\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<section class=\"content-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"box less-space hero-image-wrapper\">\n<figure class=\"mb-0\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QnpMiA23HXwhj3osep5Ur4-1920-80.jpg.webp 1920w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QnpMiA23HXwhj3osep5Ur4-1600-80.jpg.webp 1600w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QnpMiA23HXwhj3osep5Ur4-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QnpMiA23HXwhj3osep5Ur4-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QnpMiA23HXwhj3osep5Ur4-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QnpMiA23HXwhj3osep5Ur4-750-80.jpg.webp 750w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QnpMiA23HXwhj3osep5Ur4-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QnpMiA23HXwhj3osep5Ur4-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QnpMiA23HXwhj3osep5Ur4-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 600px, 100vw\" \/><figcaption class=\"font-article-copy text-(--image--text--color) font-article-copy mt-2\"><span class=\"caption-text font-article-copy\">Two of the top North American riders at this year&#8217;s Tour de France Femmes are from Canada, Isabella Holmgren (Lidl-Trek), who was the best young rider at the Giro d&#8217;Italia Women, and world champion Magdeleine Vallieres (EF Education-Oatly)<\/span><span class=\"credit font-article-copy\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div data-component-name=\"Article:JumpTo\" class=\"contents\" data-only-inline=\"1\">\n<div class=\"visible flex flex-row flex-nowrap sticky max-lg:-ml-5 top-[var(--site-header-height,60px)] sm:top-0 z-[9994] w-screen lg:w-full h-[50px] bg-white p-0 mb-5 border-neutral-200 border border-solid\" data-component-name=\"Article:JumpTo:Variants:Inline\" data-analytics-id=\"sticky-nav\" id=\"sticky-nav--inline\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"sticky-nav\">\n<div class=\"flex flex-row w-full h-full overflow-x-scroll overflow-y-hidden tracking-normal overscroll-x-contain\" id=\"sticky-nav__scroll-container\"><span class=\"pl-4 my-auto text-base font-semibold font-article-heading lg:pl-3 lg:text-sm whitespace-nowrap uppercase\">Jump To:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"flex flex-row w-auto border-y-0\">\n<li class=\"inline-flex after:content-[&apos;&apos;] after:inline-block after:relative after:h-3\/6 after:w-px after:bg-neutral-200 after:top-1\/4\nborder-b-[3px] border-b-(--jumpto-underline-color) border-solid font-semibold \" data-component-name=\"Article:JumpTo:Inline:Link\">\n<p>Canada<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"inline-flex after:content-[&apos;&apos;] after:inline-block after:relative after:h-3\/6 after:w-px after:bg-neutral-200 after:top-1\/4\n\" data-component-name=\"Article:JumpTo:Inline:Link\">\n<p>United States<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"inline-flex after:content-[&apos;&apos;] after:inline-block after:relative after:h-3\/6 after:w-px after:bg-neutral-200 after:top-1\/4\n\" data-component-name=\"Article:JumpTo:Inline:Link\">\n<p>Cuba<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"inline-flex after:content-[&apos;&apos;] after:inline-block after:relative after:h-3\/6 after:w-px after:bg-neutral-200 after:top-1\/4\n\" data-component-name=\"Article:JumpTo:Inline:Link\">\n<p>Mexico<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"article-body\" class=\"text-copy bodyCopy auto paywall-locker\">\n<div data-analytics-id=\"utility-bar\" id=\"utility-bar\" class=\"font-ui-heading flex justify-between items-center py-2 border-t border-b border-gray-300 border-solid mb-5 mx-auto\" data-component-name=\"UtilityBar\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"utility-bar\">\n<div class=\"flex gap-2 text-[#333] subcontainer\">\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<div data-component-name=\"Social:Dropdown\" role=\"menu\" id=\"utilitybar__dropdown--share\" aria-labelledby=\"utilitybar__button--share\" class=\"absolute left-0 top-full w-44 bg-white rounded-md shadow-md border border-neutral-200 z-[9996] list-none m-0 py-2 px-3 border-solid\">\n<ul class=\"m-0!\">\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>Facebook<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>X<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>Pinterest<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>Email<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-share-this-article\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nShare this article\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\"><span class=\"ml-1 inline-flex h-5 px-2 shrink-0 items-center justify-center self-center overflow-hidden whitespace-nowrap rounded-[10px] bg-primary-500 text-[11px] leading-none font-ui-heading font-semibold text-white\">0<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-join-the-conversation\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nJoin the conversation\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"flex gap-2 text-[#333] subcontainer\">\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<p>Follow us<\/p>\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-add-us-as-a-preferred-source-on-google\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nAdd us as a preferred source on Google\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-subscribe-to-our-newsletter\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nSubscribe to our newsletter\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p id=\"elk-517892ee-8c49-11f1-abbd-87a4cffc5221\">The biggest theatre for women&#8217;s pro cycling raises the curtain on Saturday for nine days of racing at the Tour de France Femmes avec Swift. The pageantry of international riders and swirl of new team colours will blend quickly during the Grand D\u00e9part in Lausanne, Switzerland, where the first yellow jersey will be awarded after a climb above Lake Geneva.<\/p>\n<p>There are 13 riders from North America on nine teams in the field, representing Canada, Cuba, Mexico and the United States. Five of those competitors make their debut at this Grand Tour.<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-517892ee-8c49-11f1-abbd-87a4cffc5221-2\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">World champion Magdeleine Vallieres (EF Education-Oatly) is still just 24 years old and has competed in all four previous editions of the modern Tour de France for women, the most appearances of any in this continental contingent. Her teammate and USPro road champion Kristen Faulkner returns for a third time. The same goes for USA&#8217;s Lily Williams (Human Powered Health) and Canadian Alison Jackson (St Michel-Preference Home-Auber93), who have each raced three times at the Tour.<\/p>\n<div class=\"my-6 w-full overflow-hidden rounded-[10px] lg:my-8\" data-component-name=\"JwPlayer:Carousel\" data-jwp-carousel data-jwp-carousel-payload=\"{&quot;ids&quot;:{&quot;playerID&quot;:&quot;jYDCcabO&quot;,&quot;searchPlaylistID&quot;:&quot;gwjdoYHD&quot;,&quot;divID&quot;:&quot;botr_gwjdoYHD_jYDCcabO_div&quot;,&quot;fallbackPlaylistID&quot;:&quot;gwjdoYHD&quot;,&quot;fallbackDivID&quot;:&quot;botr_gwjdoYHD_jYDCcabO_div&quot;,&quot;key&quot;:&quot;X9\/mXVGac0NphghLH9hZaqWA5d3dhAM\/Ih07grnEyMLjuO2E&quot;,&quot;tintLogo&quot;:true,&quot;useSearchPlaylist&quot;:false,&quot;enabled&quot;:true},&quot;signPostingEnabled&quot;:true,&quot;signPostingLinkEnabled&quot;:true,&quot;waitForAdLoad&quot;:false,&quot;hidePlayerOnDesktop&quot;:false,&quot;hidePlayerOnMobile&quot;:false,&quot;hidePlayerOnTablet&quot;:false}\">\n<div class=\"flex flex-nowrap items-center justify-between gap-3 bg-zinc-900 px-[14px] py-3\" data-jwp-carousel-header>\n<div class=\"flex min-w-0 shrink items-center\"><span class=\"inline-flex items-center gap-1.5 text-sm font-article-heading capitalize leading-5 text-white whitespace-nowrap\"><span class=\"jwp-carousel-title-desktop\">Latest Videos From<\/span><span class=\"jwp-carousel-brand\">Cyclingnews<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"min-h-[44px] bg-zinc-900 px-[14px] py-3\" data-jwp-carousel-signposting><a class=\"invisible block truncate text-sm font-bold leading-5 text-white underline decoration-solid underline-offset-2\" data-jwp-carousel-signposting-link href target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span data-jwp-carousel-signposting-title>Watch full video here: <\/span><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">What eludes these Grand Tour veterans is a first-time stage win at the world&#8217;s biggest stage race. It&#8217;s hard to believe many of these accomplished riders have yet to post a result from the Tour.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Here is a look at the abundance of talent from across North America who will compete over the next nine days, August 1-9, to support team leaders and grab opportunities for stage wins at the Tour de France Femmes.<\/p>\n<aside data-component-name=\"Recirculation:ArticleRiver\" data-recirculation-type=\"inline\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"Trending Bar\" data-nosnippet class=\"clear-both pt-2 pb-0 mb-4\"><span class=\"\n            flex\n            after:content-[&apos;&apos;] after:flex-1 after:ml-4 after:my-[0.7rem] after:border-t after:border-solid after:border-t-[#ccc]\n            before:content-[&apos;&apos;] before:flex-1 before:mr-4 before:my-[0.7rem] before:border-t before:border-solid before:border-t-[#ccc]\n            font-article-heading pb-0 text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,1em)] uppercase sm:text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,0.875em)] font-bold\n        \"><br \/>\n            You may like<br \/>\n        <\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"flex flex-col gap-0 m-0 max-w-full\">\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-1\" id=\"recirculation-inline-1\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-1\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-1\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/oNL5LRQrihiFfcMJAHKNRU-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/oNL5LRQrihiFfcMJAHKNRU-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">The seven riders from Australia and New Zealand taking to the start line at the Tour de France Femmes<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-2\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-2\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-2\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/x2erRPrkRHSd8wS8rNtXkN-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/x2erRPrkRHSd8wS8rNtXkN-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">Tour de France Femmes contenders \u2013 Demi Vollering and Pauline Ferrand-Pr\u00e9vot poised for fantastic duel with Ventoux finale<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ccc] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-3\" id=\"recirculation-inline-3\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-3\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-3\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/h62jRZjQYyMgvcAPGGLq5L-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/h62jRZjQYyMgvcAPGGLq5L-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">&#8216;We still have to win a race before the year ends&#8217; \u2013 Alison Jackson and ambitious St Michel squad aim high at the Tour de France Femmes and beyond<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<h2 class=\"article-body__section kiosq-b\" id=\"section-canada\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><span>Canada<\/span><\/h2>\n<h4 class=\"article-body__section kiosq-b\" id=\"section-magdeleine-vallieres-ef-education-oatly\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><span>Magdeleine Vallieres (EF Education-Oatly)<\/span><\/h4>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-ebe9783e-8c58-11f1-b498-a56b2b6adcd8\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JBVWR7WoqgCDStoJyohBLe-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JBVWR7WoqgCDStoJyohBLe-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JBVWR7WoqgCDStoJyohBLe-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JBVWR7WoqgCDStoJyohBLe-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JBVWR7WoqgCDStoJyohBLe-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JBVWR7WoqgCDStoJyohBLe-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Magdeleine Vallieres of EF Education-Oatly finished 10th on stage 9 at the 2026 Giro d&#8217;Italia Women, moving to 12th on GC <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-ebe978d4-8c58-11f1-8964-233a45abc21e\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">World champion Magdeleine Vallieres has her eyes focused and legs primed for the mountains at this hilly Tour de France. The abundance of climbing is suited to her attacking style, and she said recently: &#8220;I&#8217;m mostly excited about stage five and the stage in Nice, but any stages where I can try to be aggressive, I am looking forward to&#8221;.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The Canadian climber has started in all four of the previous editions of the revived Tour de France Femmes, last year finishing eighth across hilly terrain into Ambert on stage 6, and then helping French teammate C\u00e9drine Kerbaol to eighth overall in the GC after the final three mountain stages. She&#8217;ll support Kerbaol again, but this time has the jersey as World Champion for added inspiration.<\/p>\n<div id=\"slice-container-newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-kxeSNiMMLeeMqgWSvFnHWG\" class=\"slice-container newsletter-inbodyContent-slice newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-kxeSNiMMLeeMqgWSvFnHWG slice-container-newsletterForm\">\n<div data-hydrate=\"true\" class=\"newsletter-form__wrapper newsletter-form__wrapper--inbodyContent\">\n<div class=\"newsletter-form__container\">\n<section class=\"newsletter-form__top-bar\">\n<div class=\"newsletter-form__header\">Get The Leadout Newsletter<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section class=\"newsletter-form__main-section\">\n<p class=\"newsletter-form__strapline\">The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!<\/p>\n<footer class=\"newsletter-form__footer \">By submitting your information you agree to the Terms &amp; Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.<\/footer>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The 24-year-old Canadian hasn&#8217;t won a race yet in the rainbow stripes, though she&#8217;s had top 10s at Setmana Ciclista Volta Femenina and Giro d&#8217;Italia stage races. At the Giro, she had the best placement in the GC for EF Education-EasyPost in 12th, so she can provide leadership if needed.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"article-body__section kiosq-b\" id=\"section-isabella-holmgren-lidl-trek\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><span>Isabella Holmgren (Lidl-Trek)<\/span><\/h2>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-ee3041fa-8c61-11f1-9f2c-e5bc1d7a7c37\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Y2j6wt65BbBFNbXhVv2hs6-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Y2j6wt65BbBFNbXhVv2hs6-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Y2j6wt65BbBFNbXhVv2hs6-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Y2j6wt65BbBFNbXhVv2hs6-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Y2j6wt65BbBFNbXhVv2hs6-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Y2j6wt65BbBFNbXhVv2hs6-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Isabella Holmgren of Canada (Lidl &#8211; Trek) celebrates at podium as White Best Young Rider Jersey winner the 2026 Giro d&#8217;Italia Women <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-ee30425e-8c61-11f1-8f05-a33ccc5fcb6b\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Isabella Holmgren makes her debut at the Tour de France Femmes and is expected to excel with her climbing skills on seven of the nine stages. The best young rider from this year&#8217;s Giro d&#8217;Italia Women, the 21-year-old Canadian headlines the 26 riders expected to make up the under-23 youth competition at the Tour, and will be a favourite for the white jersey.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Lidl-Trek is counting on her all-around skills as a one-two punch with Niamh Fisher-Black for both stage and GC performances.<\/p>\n<aside data-component-name=\"Recirculation:ArticleRiver\" data-recirculation-type=\"inline\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"Trending Bar\" data-nosnippet class=\"clear-both pt-2 pb-0 mb-4\"><span class=\"\n            flex\n            after:content-[&apos;&apos;] after:flex-1 after:ml-4 after:my-[0.7rem] after:border-t after:border-solid after:border-t-[#ccc]\n            before:content-[&apos;&apos;] before:flex-1 before:mr-4 before:my-[0.7rem] before:border-t before:border-solid before:border-t-[#ccc]\n            font-article-heading pb-0 text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,1em)] uppercase sm:text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,0.875em)] font-bold\n        \"><br \/>\n            What to read next<br \/>\n        <\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"flex flex-col gap-0 m-0 max-w-full\">\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-1\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2-1\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-1\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-1\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/iemamTjEsJtjARAiDGwUDD-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/iemamTjEsJtjARAiDGwUDD-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">Wide open Tour de Suisse Women as Demi Vollering skips race to prepare for Tour de France Femmes &#8211; Analysing the contenders<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-2\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2-2\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-2\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-2\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6Qwro5SviMvjEWT5r6dTD4-250-80.png.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6Qwro5SviMvjEWT5r6dTD4-150-80.png.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">Can FDJ United-SUEZ defend their title without Demi Vollering? \u2013 Analysing the contenders for La Vuelta Femenina 2026<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ccc] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-3\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2-3\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-3\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-3\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/zGGKQ8CVaKpYUFXtgyx7CC-250-80.png.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/zGGKQ8CVaKpYUFXtgyx7CC-150-80.png.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">Demi Vollering and Elisa Longo Borghini set to do battle, but super strong rivals could surprise them \u2013 Analysing the contenders for the Giro d&#8217;Italia Women<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;Mont Ventoux will show the best climbers of the Tour, and we have good chances there with Bella and Niamh on the start line,&#8221; said Ina-Yoko Teutenberg, Lidl-Trek&#8217;s lead sports director. &#8220;We start the race with a first priority for stage wins, and then we see where we can end up on GC with Bella and Niamh both being co-leaders.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The Lidl-Trek team hopes she will invigorate a roster of veterans who, surprisingly, have yet to capture a stage win at the Tour over the last five years.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"article-body__section kiosq-b\" id=\"section-sarah-van-dam-visma-lease-a-bike\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><span>Sarah van Dam (Visma-Lease a Bike)<\/span><\/h2>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-624ea8b0-8c62-11f1-b969-834b24f670fa\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3VDDFHiQuBUHZ7eus3Dq9E-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3VDDFHiQuBUHZ7eus3Dq9E-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3VDDFHiQuBUHZ7eus3Dq9E-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3VDDFHiQuBUHZ7eus3Dq9E-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3VDDFHiQuBUHZ7eus3Dq9E-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3VDDFHiQuBUHZ7eus3Dq9E-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Sarah van Dam Visma-Lease a Bike crosses the finish line on stage 2 of Tour de Suisse in second place <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-ee30431c-8c61-11f1-9439-ab13761cdc45\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Visma-Lease a Bike has set up its squad to support the Tour de France Femmes title defense for Pauline Ferrand-Pr\u00e9vot, but also given freedom to riders like 24-year-old Canadian Sarah van Dam to go for stage wins, Team Manager Rutger Tijssen saying, &#8220;if you&#8217;re racing at the front, you&#8217;re always in contention for victory&#8221;.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">This is Van Dam&#8217;s second consecutive appearance at the French Grand Tour, returning with strong performances across the Spring Classics and into Vuelta Espa\u00f1a and Tour de Suisse Women.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">In the two stage races she landed six top 10s on stages, including seventh overall in Switzerland. While the massive mountain climb to Mont Ventoux may not be her ideal ascent, she can help launch team leader Ferrand-Prevot there and look to thrive across other hilly terrain during the week.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"article-body__section kiosq-b\" id=\"section-alison-jackson-st-michel-preference-home-auber93\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><span>Alison Jackson (St Michel-Preference Home-Auber93)<\/span><\/h2>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-cf44f3d8-8c68-11f1-9d2b-b5ffb0d3dee8\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QpkZMCwEofZqpBzdcTKz4F-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QpkZMCwEofZqpBzdcTKz4F-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QpkZMCwEofZqpBzdcTKz4F-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QpkZMCwEofZqpBzdcTKz4F-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QpkZMCwEofZqpBzdcTKz4F-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QpkZMCwEofZqpBzdcTKz4F-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Alison Jackson of ST MICHEL &#8211; PREFERENCE HOME &#8211; AUBER93 is awarded as the most combative rider after stage 5 of the Giro d&#8217;Italia Women <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-cf44f770-8c68-11f1-9649-fb9708ac0c84\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Former Canadian road champion Alison Jackson comes to her fourth Tour de France Femmes, this time leading the hunt for stage wins for French ProTeam St Michel-Preference Home-Auber93. Her speciality comes in one-day races, no matter the distance or the surface, having taken her signature Classics victory in 2023 at Paris-Roubaix Femmes. But she&#8217;s also won a stage at the Vuelta Espa\u00f1a and taken several podiums at international gravel races.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">She is a dangerous rider if allowed to steal away in a breakaway, which almost landed her a win on stage 7 at this year&#8217;s Giro d&#8217;Italia, ending one spot off the podium in a four-rider sprint, but with the consolation prize as most combative rider. After a handful of races at home in Canada, where she went fourth this time at road nationals, the 37-year-old spent three weeks in Colorado training at elevation with her teammates in preparation for the Tour de France.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"article-body__section kiosq-b\" id=\"section-kiara-lylyk-mayenne-monbana-mypie\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><span>Kiara Lylyk (Mayenne Monbana MyPie)<\/span><\/h2>\n<p id=\"elk-cf44f86a-8c68-11f1-8a7e-4dc7e6bc93b6\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Another rider who should vye for the white best young rider&#8217;s jersey is 22-year-old Kiara Lylyk. She made her first appearance at the Tour last year when the Mayenne Monbana MyPie squad flew under the branding of Winspace Orange Seal.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Lylyk has a gold medal from Team Pursuit from the 2023 Pan American Track Championships, and that same year earned her first UCI top five as an elite rider at Tour de Gatineau.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">She comes into the race in good form with a fifth place on the hilly opening stage at Volta Catalunya and followed with four stage top 10s at Volta a Portugal.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"article-body__section kiosq-b\" id=\"section-nadia-gontova-liv-alula-jayco\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><span>Nadia Gontova (Liv-AlUla-Jayco)<\/span><\/h2>\n<p id=\"elk-cf44f9aa-8c68-11f1-925f-c1df77b14f73\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The reigning Canadian time trial champion is Nadia Gontova, makes her second appearance at the Tour but this time with Liv-AlUla-Jayco. Riding last year she as the top performer on the ProTeam Winspace Orange Seal squad, Gontova finished 10th on the final stage and went 23rd overall.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">She&#8217;s proven that climbing is her forte, earning second on GC at last year&#8217;s Tour F\u00e9minin International des Pyr\u00e9n\u00e9es just a year after taking the same GC position at UCI stage races Tour of the Gila and Vuelta a Colombia.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">While her only victory this year has been in the ITT at nationals, she&#8217;s had top 20 results on GC at Giro d&#8217;Italia Women and Tour de Suisse.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"article-body__section kiosq-b\" id=\"section-united-states\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><span>United States<\/span><\/h3>\n<h2 class=\"article-body__section kiosq-b\" id=\"section-kristen-faulkner-ef-education-oatly\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><span>Kristen Faulkner (EF Education-Oatly)<\/span><\/h2>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-154d7cd6-8ce8-11f1-bc89-13b107cc2807\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/GxkmZsyEbQkH5gez9CPYYm-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/GxkmZsyEbQkH5gez9CPYYm-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/GxkmZsyEbQkH5gez9CPYYm-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/GxkmZsyEbQkH5gez9CPYYm-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/GxkmZsyEbQkH5gez9CPYYm-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/GxkmZsyEbQkH5gez9CPYYm-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">US rider Kristen Faulkner of EF Education-Oatly <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-154d7d44-8ce8-11f1-b73c-7f0216f66358\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Olympic champion Kristen Faulkner has won stages at the Giro and Vuelta but her quest to complete the set at all three Grand Tours remains unfinished business. Her EF Education-Oatly team remains winless as well at the Tour de France, so taking each stage as a one-day race could have a double effect.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The 21km ITT on stage 4 is a prime day for the 33-year-old who won the Pan-American time trial to begin her season. Like her teammate Vallieres, Faulkner can also take advantage of breakaway opportunities on hilly terrain.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;As a team, I know we want to win a few stages, and I&#8217;d love to win a stage myself. It will be very hot so I&#8217;m really trying to acclimate to heat as much as possible. But I think it&#8217;s going to be difficult, no matter what,&#8221; Faulkner said in a team statement.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The 33-year-old US rider won&#8217;t be wearing the familiar stars-and-stripes jersey she&#8217;s held for two consecutive years, travel issues keeping her away USPro Nationals this year, and instead she focused on a European summer campaign at the Vuelta and Giro. After the last few weeks back in the US for altitude camp, Faulkner is one to watch each day at the Tour.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"article-body__section kiosq-b\" id=\"section-lily-williams-human-powered-health\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><span>Lily Williams (Human Powered Health)<\/span><\/h2>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-e935addc-8cea-11f1-94d1-710dfc3d2ea7\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/UUSEJksxj6dFueiE8mVohe-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/UUSEJksxj6dFueiE8mVohe-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/UUSEJksxj6dFueiE8mVohe-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/UUSEJksxj6dFueiE8mVohe-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/UUSEJksxj6dFueiE8mVohe-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/UUSEJksxj6dFueiE8mVohe-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Lily Williams of Human Powered Health crosses the finish line in second place on stage 3 at Giro d&#8217;Italia Women 2026 <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-e935ae7c-8cea-11f1-bb2f-0711a4d5e92e\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">An Olympic Champion on the track, Lily Williams is on another track this year, which is a pathway to a UCI road victory. She has two runner-up results at her last stage races &#8211; Tour de Suisse Women and Giro d&#8217;Italia Women, and this year&#8217;s Tour de France has a handful of finishes suited to her ability to cover some climbing and save a kick at the end.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;I think the harder sprint definitely suits me more,&#8221; she said after her stage 3 at the Giro, where she launched early and managed to gap the field with eventual winner Elisa Balsamo (Lidl-Trek). There are a number of stages at the Tour that have similar terrain with rolling hills, a couple of late categorised climbs and then a punchy finish, including stage 1 in Switzerland with a 2.5km uphill finale. An eighth Grand Tour has lots of opportunities for Williams.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"article-body__section kiosq-b\" id=\"section-natalie-quinn-mayenne-monbana-mypie\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><span>Natalie Quinn (Mayenne Monbana MyPie)<\/span><\/h2>\n<p id=\"elk-f973fa74-8cee-11f1-824d-354fcbdd3f44\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">This French team features two North Americans on the Tour roster and Natalie Quinn is the US representative alongside Canadian Kiara Lylyk. Last month at the Volta a Portugal, both landed in the top 15 on GC, with Quinn the better of the duo in 11th overall<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Quinn is a Tour debutant at age 24 and looks to make an impact on the favoured hilly terrain. She won the mountains classification at the 2025 Volta a Portugal. At the end of last season she earned sixth in a stacked field at Maryland Cycling Classic. Most recently, she finished ninth at a hilly La P\u00e9rigord Ladies in France.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"article-body__section kiosq-b\" id=\"section-heidi-franz-and-caroline-wreszin-st-michel-preference-home-auber93\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><span>Heidi Franz and Caroline Wreszin (St Michel-Preference Home-Auber93)<\/span><\/h2>\n<p id=\"elk-f973fb50-8cee-11f1-877d-cfbb84e2e6d1\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">When French road team St Michel-Preference Home-Auber93 committed three weeks to a training camp for the Tour de France Femmes, they went in the unlikely direction of the US for high elevation in Colorado. With team sponsors in the Boulder area and several team members from North America, it was a welcome experience for US riders Heidi Franz and Caroline Wreszin.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Both Franz and Wreszin make their Tour debuts this year, and for 10-year veteran Franz it is a welcome opportunity to showcase her all-around skills. While most of her success had been in the US, with GC win at Redlands Bicycle Classic and podiums at Joe Martin Stage Race, she&#8217;s built endurance on gravel with podiums at RADL GRVL, Nordic Gravel Series, then going 13th overall at UCI Gravel World Championships. Last year she won the mountains classification at Tour F\u00e9minin International des Pyr\u00e9n\u00e9es and was third overall at Volta a Portugal.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The 25-year-old Wreszin has a powerful engine for the time trial, finishing in the top 10 the last two years at USPro ITT nationals. The challenging mid-stage ascent will suit her climbing ability.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Look for both US riders to get in the action to help Alison Jackson get into late breaks, and to look for their own strikes.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"article-body__section kiosq-b\" id=\"section-cuba\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><span>Cuba<\/span><\/h3>\n<h2 class=\"article-body__section kiosq-b\" id=\"section-arlenis-sierra-movistar\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><span>Arlenis Sierra (Movistar)<\/span><\/h2>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-67724a66-8c69-11f1-af68-b1acabe1f31b\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/NLJxgPyvTsDwwJLrqZAzQC-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/NLJxgPyvTsDwwJLrqZAzQC-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/NLJxgPyvTsDwwJLrqZAzQC-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/NLJxgPyvTsDwwJLrqZAzQC-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/NLJxgPyvTsDwwJLrqZAzQC-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/NLJxgPyvTsDwwJLrqZAzQC-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Arlenis Sierra of Movistar on the attack at Paris-Roubaix <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-67724aca-8c69-11f1-911a-a15717adbfe3\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">All-rounder Arlenis Sierra has a growing medal count of Cuban national championships, winning both the road race and time trial titles in the same year four times. She then stopped racing after the double wins in 2024 to focus on growing her family and had a son, Marck, in March 2025. The 33-year-old is back in a big way for Movistar this year, coming second at Clasica de Almeria, riding to ninth at Paris-Roubaix Femmes and taking top 10s on stages at Vuelta Espa\u00f1a and Giro d&#8217;Italia.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The versatile Cuban rider will support Movistar team leader Marlen Reusser at this Tour, a second for Sierra. If Reusser falters in the the GC standings, look for Sierra to have a green light for an abundance of opportunities across hilly terrain where she thrives.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"article-body__section kiosq-b\" id=\"section-mexico\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><span>Mexico<\/span><\/h3>\n<h2 class=\"article-body__section kiosq-b\" id=\"section-romina-hinojosa-lotto-intermarche\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><span>Romina Hinojosa (Lotto-Intermarch\u00e9)<\/span><\/h2>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-9ea61156-8cf1-11f1-86fa-63c612dac366\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hNFSNoqXEJ4q7UnXkTRzEf-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hNFSNoqXEJ4q7UnXkTRzEf-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hNFSNoqXEJ4q7UnXkTRzEf-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hNFSNoqXEJ4q7UnXkTRzEf-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hNFSNoqXEJ4q7UnXkTRzEf-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hNFSNoqXEJ4q7UnXkTRzEf-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Romina Hinojosa of Mexico competes for Lotto-Intermarche Ladies at In Flanders Fields 2026 <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-9ea611c4-8cf1-11f1-8072-3b571b855486\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Another debutant at this year&#8217;s Tour is Romina Hinojosa of Lotto-Intermarch\u00e9, who makes just a second Grand Tour start in her burgeoning career after riding Vuelta Espa\u00f1a last season when the Lotto team was on the Continental level.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">She&#8217;s a solid climber who has finished with two silver medals at Mexican Road Nationals and now gets a chance to improve on the ProTeam level. The 23-year-old took on the Classics in Belgium this spring for the first time, calling it &#8220;a dream come true&#8221;, and had modest results, then improved after with fifth at the Internazionale cycling Festival, a time trial in Italy, and top 20 in GC at Volta a Portugal. Her main goal will be to support team leader Sandrine Tas at the Tour.<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-9ea61232-8cf1-11f1-8e7f-eb4a6609c62e\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\"><em><strong>Support our unrivalled coverage of the Tour de France Femmes and women&#8217;s cycling by subscribing to Cyclingnews. In return, you get unlimited access to high-quality journalism, with breaking news, race analysis, and expert insight from inside the women&#8217;s peloton. Plus, the Cyclingnews app lets you follow the action wherever you go!<\/strong><\/em><em><strong>Join today<\/strong><\/em><em><strong>.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"slice-container-authorBio-kxeSNiMMLeeMqgWSvFnHWG\" class=\"slice-container slice-author-bio authorBio-kxeSNiMMLeeMqgWSvFnHWG slice-container-authorBio\">\n<div class=\"author author__default-layout author--separator author--collapsible\" data-hydrate=\"true\">\n<div class=\"author__header\">\n<div class=\"author__avatar-block\">\n<figure class=\"image-wrapped__wrapper\" data-bordeaux-image-check=\"false\">\n<div class=\"image-wrapped__widthsetter\">\n<div class=\"image-wrapped__aspect-padding\">\n<div><source class=\"author__avatar image-wrapped__image image__image\" type=\"image\/gif\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/fnfpSfuM3neaK9DtSrBcKF-140-80.gif 140w\" sizes=\"99vw\" data-normal=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/fnfpSfuM3neaK9DtSrBcKF.gif\" data-original-mos=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/fnfpSfuM3neaK9DtSrBcKF.gif\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/fnfpSfuM3neaK9DtSrBcKF.gif\" data-pin-nopin=\"true\" data-slice-image=\"true\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__heading\">\n<div class=\"author__name\">Jackie Tyson<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__social\">\n<nav class=\"button-social-group author__social-buttons\" aria-labelledby=\"button-social-group- author__social-buttons\">\n<div id=\"button-social-group- author__social-buttons\">Social Links Navigation<\/div>\n<\/nav>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__role\">North American Editor<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__bio-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"author__biography\">\n<p>Jackie has been involved in professional sports for more than 30 years in news reporting, sports marketing and public relations. She founded Peloton Sports in 1998, a sports marketing and public relations agency, which managed projects for Tour de Georgia, Larry H. Miller Tour of Utah and USA Cycling. She also founded Bike Alpharetta Inc, a Georgia non-profit to promote safe cycling. She is proud to have worked in professional baseball for six years &#8211; from selling advertising to pulling the tarp for several minor league teams. On the bike, she has climbed l&#8217;Alpe d&#8217;Huez three times (not fast), and spends time on gravel around horse farms in north Georgia.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<div class=\"relative max-w-[1070px] viafoura-twig-component mt-6 mx-4 lg:mx-0\" data-component-name=\"Viafoura:Comments\" data-nosnippet data-community-guidelines-text=\"&lt;p class=&apos;vfcustom-community-guidelines&apos;&gt;Please follow our &lt;a href=&quot;https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/about\/#section-community-guidelines&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;community guidelines&lt;\/a&gt;.&lt;\/p&gt;\" data-join-the-conversation-text=\"Join the Conversation\">\n<div class=\"absolute top-0 left-0 w-full h-full flex items-center justify-center z-50 bg-white\/90 border-1 rounded-b-[var(--comment-widget-border-radius,0)]\">\n<div class=\"p-2 text-center\">\n<p class=\"mb-3 text-lg!\">You must confirm your public display name before commenting<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-3 text-sm!\">Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<section class=\"mx-2 my-5 sm:mx-0\">\n<aside class=\"w-full\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-stacked\">\n<div data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-adviser:hybrid\">\n<div class=\"text-white py-4 px-3 mb-4 bg-[#333] uppercase font-bold custom-header-styles\">Read more<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid grid-cols-1 gap-4 mt-4 mb-5\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/oNL5LRQrihiFfcMJAHKNRU-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/oNL5LRQrihiFfcMJAHKNRU-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/oNL5LRQrihiFfcMJAHKNRU-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/oNL5LRQrihiFfcMJAHKNRU-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/oNL5LRQrihiFfcMJAHKNRU-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">The seven riders from Australia and New Zealand taking to the start line at the Tour de France Femmes<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/x2erRPrkRHSd8wS8rNtXkN-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/x2erRPrkRHSd8wS8rNtXkN-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/x2erRPrkRHSd8wS8rNtXkN-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/x2erRPrkRHSd8wS8rNtXkN-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/x2erRPrkRHSd8wS8rNtXkN-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Tour de France Femmes contenders \u2013 Demi Vollering and Pauline Ferrand-Pr\u00e9vot poised for fantastic duel with Ventoux finale<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/h62jRZjQYyMgvcAPGGLq5L-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/h62jRZjQYyMgvcAPGGLq5L-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/h62jRZjQYyMgvcAPGGLq5L-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/h62jRZjQYyMgvcAPGGLq5L-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/h62jRZjQYyMgvcAPGGLq5L-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;We still have to win a race before the year ends&#8217; \u2013 Alison Jackson and ambitious St Michel squad aim high at the Tour de France Femmes and beyond<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/iemamTjEsJtjARAiDGwUDD-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/iemamTjEsJtjARAiDGwUDD-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/iemamTjEsJtjARAiDGwUDD-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/iemamTjEsJtjARAiDGwUDD-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/iemamTjEsJtjARAiDGwUDD-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Wide open Tour de Suisse Women as Demi Vollering skips race to prepare for Tour de France Femmes &#8211; Analysing the contenders<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6Qwro5SviMvjEWT5r6dTD4-840-80.png.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6Qwro5SviMvjEWT5r6dTD4-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6Qwro5SviMvjEWT5r6dTD4-500-80.png.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6Qwro5SviMvjEWT5r6dTD4-450-80.png.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6Qwro5SviMvjEWT5r6dTD4-320-80.png.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Can FDJ United-SUEZ defend their title without Demi Vollering? \u2013 Analysing the contenders for La Vuelta Femenina 2026<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/zGGKQ8CVaKpYUFXtgyx7CC-840-80.png.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/zGGKQ8CVaKpYUFXtgyx7CC-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/zGGKQ8CVaKpYUFXtgyx7CC-500-80.png.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/zGGKQ8CVaKpYUFXtgyx7CC-450-80.png.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/zGGKQ8CVaKpYUFXtgyx7CC-320-80.png.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Demi Vollering and Elisa Longo Borghini set to do battle, but super strong rivals could surprise them \u2013 Analysing the contenders for the Giro d&#8217;Italia Women<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside class=\"w-full\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-stacked\">\n<div data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-solr:latest-category\">\n<div class=\"text-white py-4 px-3 mb-4 bg-[#333] uppercase font-bold custom-header-styles\">Latest in Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid grid-cols-1 gap-4 mt-4 mb-5\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/R9fjniWKaCGHvYzTeSTkpW-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/R9fjniWKaCGHvYzTeSTkpW-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/R9fjniWKaCGHvYzTeSTkpW-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/R9fjniWKaCGHvYzTeSTkpW-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/R9fjniWKaCGHvYzTeSTkpW-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;Pressure is a privilege&#8217; \u2013 Calm, mature Demi Vollering taking Tour de France Femmes favourite status in her stride as search to reclaim yellow continues<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/A3ePqfdwqCHa9CWkNT7RgL-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/A3ePqfdwqCHa9CWkNT7RgL-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/A3ePqfdwqCHa9CWkNT7RgL-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/A3ePqfdwqCHa9CWkNT7RgL-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/A3ePqfdwqCHa9CWkNT7RgL-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;Everything needs to be perfect&#8217;\u00a0\u2013 Lorena Wiebes eyes Tour de France Femmes yellow jersey in Swiss uphill opener<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/h62jRZjQYyMgvcAPGGLq5L-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/h62jRZjQYyMgvcAPGGLq5L-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/h62jRZjQYyMgvcAPGGLq5L-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/h62jRZjQYyMgvcAPGGLq5L-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/h62jRZjQYyMgvcAPGGLq5L-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;We still have to win a race before the year ends&#8217; \u2013 Alison Jackson and ambitious St Michel squad aim high at the Tour de France Femmes and beyond<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ePxGEBDAcx43r8MiDvwGvn-840-80.png.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ePxGEBDAcx43r8MiDvwGvn-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ePxGEBDAcx43r8MiDvwGvn-500-80.png.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ePxGEBDAcx43r8MiDvwGvn-450-80.png.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ePxGEBDAcx43r8MiDvwGvn-320-80.png.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Five years in, this Tour de France Femmes looks like it will be the best edition yet<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/kiw4M2NRFdqtTPazzFAbQ7-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/kiw4M2NRFdqtTPazzFAbQ7-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/kiw4M2NRFdqtTPazzFAbQ7-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/kiw4M2NRFdqtTPazzFAbQ7-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/kiw4M2NRFdqtTPazzFAbQ7-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;I don&#8217;t think other teams know our strategy&#8217; \u2013 UAE Team L&#8217;IMAD start Tour de France Femmes with strength in depth and Longo Borghini and Blasi at the helm<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/T8r6nc4LCSG6ojytsGfLBD-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/T8r6nc4LCSG6ojytsGfLBD-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/T8r6nc4LCSG6ojytsGfLBD-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/T8r6nc4LCSG6ojytsGfLBD-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/T8r6nc4LCSG6ojytsGfLBD-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">SD Worx-Protime led by Lotte Kopecky, Lorena Wiebes and Anna van der Breggen at uncontrollable Tour de France Femmes with mixed ambitions<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside class=\"w-full\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-stacked\">\n<div data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-solr:latest-articletype\">\n<div class=\"text-white py-4 px-3 mb-4 bg-[#333] uppercase font-bold custom-header-styles\">Latest in Features<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid grid-cols-1 gap-4 mt-4 mb-5\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ePxGEBDAcx43r8MiDvwGvn-840-80.png.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ePxGEBDAcx43r8MiDvwGvn-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ePxGEBDAcx43r8MiDvwGvn-500-80.png.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ePxGEBDAcx43r8MiDvwGvn-450-80.png.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ePxGEBDAcx43r8MiDvwGvn-320-80.png.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Five years in, this Tour de France Femmes looks like it will be the best edition yet<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/LwGNhVYdXrv3dnnhovVZoi-840-80.png.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/LwGNhVYdXrv3dnnhovVZoi-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/LwGNhVYdXrv3dnnhovVZoi-500-80.png.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/LwGNhVYdXrv3dnnhovVZoi-450-80.png.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/LwGNhVYdXrv3dnnhovVZoi-320-80.png.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;I pick my battle, and I choose the Tour de France&#8217; \u2013 Forget year-long dominance, Pauline Ferrand-Pr\u00e9vot is all about delivering when it counts most<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/8p6Mc4zX9wMKoj4au5g4qe-840-80.png.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/8p6Mc4zX9wMKoj4au5g4qe-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/8p6Mc4zX9wMKoj4au5g4qe-500-80.png.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/8p6Mc4zX9wMKoj4au5g4qe-450-80.png.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/8p6Mc4zX9wMKoj4au5g4qe-320-80.png.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Pro Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Cooke&#8217;s Mont Ventoux masterclass and a C\u00f4te d&#8217;Azur classic \u2013 A history of the Tour de France Femmes&#8217; key climbs<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZJahVPMvGwMj9NetKqDxAN-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZJahVPMvGwMj9NetKqDxAN-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZJahVPMvGwMj9NetKqDxAN-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZJahVPMvGwMj9NetKqDxAN-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZJahVPMvGwMj9NetKqDxAN-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Helmets<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Design UAE Team Emirates-XRG\u2019s next helmet and you could win a trip to the 2027 UAE Tour<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/jYQwNfFJ6KcW6PUrza45Ck-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/jYQwNfFJ6KcW6PUrza45Ck-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/jYQwNfFJ6KcW6PUrza45Ck-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/jYQwNfFJ6KcW6PUrza45Ck-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/jYQwNfFJ6KcW6PUrza45Ck-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Will Tadej Poga\u010dar win a sixth Tour de France? &#8211; What can we expect from the 2027 Grand Boucle<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/sKWF6VNwL8aBFdUFVhiyPR-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/sKWF6VNwL8aBFdUFVhiyPR-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/sKWF6VNwL8aBFdUFVhiyPR-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/sKWF6VNwL8aBFdUFVhiyPR-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/sKWF6VNwL8aBFdUFVhiyPR-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Wheels &amp; Tyres<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">What are the fastest UCI-legal road wheels? Wind tunnel testing the big-name brands and Chinese contenders<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"widgetArea17\" class=\"widget-area md:basis-1\/3 widget-area-g-md-vp-1-3 widget-area-g-lg-vp-1-3 widget-area-g-xl-vp-1-3 page-widget-area-17\">\n<div data-widget-type=\"dynamic\" id=\"popular-data\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-dynamic widget-popular-data widget-dynamic-popular-data widget-dynamic-fter-popular-box\">\n<div class=\"wdn-fte-pb pos-relative space-t20\n\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"slice-container popular-box-slice\">\n<section class=\"popular-box\" data-component-name=\"Slice:PopularBox\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__label\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__label__tab popular-box__label__tab--active\" role=\"heading\">\nLATEST ARTICLES\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<ol class=\"popular-box__articles-list popular-box__articles-list--active\">\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__image-wrapper\">\n<div>\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/giMJ8qqaVDtvBzGobPWGYb-1280-80.jpg.webp 1280w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/giMJ8qqaVDtvBzGobPWGYb-720-80.jpg.webp 720w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/giMJ8qqaVDtvBzGobPWGYb-640-80.jpg.webp 640w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/giMJ8qqaVDtvBzGobPWGYb-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"99vw\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">1<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">\n<p>Tour de France Femmes bikes: An equipment guide for all 21 teams<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">2<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">\n<p>Tour de France runner-up Remco Evenepoel back to racing as Cl\u00e1sica San Sebasti\u00e1n top contender<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">3<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">\n<p>How to watch Cl\u00e1sica San Sebasti\u00e1n 2026: All the broadcasters and live streams<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">4<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">\n<p>&#8216;We still have to win a race before the year ends&#8217; \u2013 Alison Jackson and ambitious St Michel squad aim high at the Tour de France Femmes and beyond<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">5<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">\n<p>Incolour SSR review: Lightweight, aero, and shockingly uncomfortable<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<div class=\"news-article\">\n<header data-component-name=\"Article:Hero\">\n<nav class=\"breadcrumb\" aria-label=\"Breadcrumbs\">\n<ol>\n<li>\nPro Cycling\n<\/li>\n<li>\nRacing\n<\/li>\n<li>\nWomen&#8217;s Cycling\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/nav>\n<h1>Riders from Canada, Cuba, Mexico and USA among 13 North Americans in the 2026 Tour de France Femmes<\/h1>\n<div class=\"byline-social\">\n<div class=\"vds-byline-block flex flex-row flex-nowrap my-1.5 gap-2 text-left items-start justify-start\" data-component-name=\"Article:BylineBlock\">\n<p>Features<\/p>\n<div class=\"my-auto vds-simple-byline\"><span class=\"inline-block vds-author\"><br \/>\nBy<br \/>\nJackie Tyson <\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"flex gap-1 vds-byline-with-avatar__meta\"><span class=\"vds-date block font-normal tracking-normal normal-case text-xs\"><br \/>\nPublished<br \/>\n<time data-component-name=\"UI:DateTime\" datetime=\"2026-07-31T15:26:58Z\" class=\"relative-date\"><br \/>\n31 July 2026<br \/>\n<\/time><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"strapline\">Isabella Holmgren leads a charge of five debutants, Canadian Alison Jackson and pair of US riders provide climbing arsenal for French squad St Michel-Preference Home-Auber93<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<aside class=\"text-gray-700 flex items-center mx-0 my-5 p-0 justify-start text-left\" id=\"affiliate-disclaimer\" data-component-name=\"AffiliateDisclaimer\" data-hawk-message=\"Affiliate disclaimer removed because hawk deemed there are no affiliate links on this page\">\n<p class=\"text-[color:var(--affiliate-disclaimer--text-color,inherit)] mb-2 text-[length:var(--affiliate-disclaimer--font-size,0.75rem)] leading-[18px] md:text-[13px] [&amp;&gt;a]:text-inherit [&amp;&gt;a]:underline\">\nWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here\u2019s how it works.\n<\/p>\n<\/aside>\n<\/header>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"article-body\" class=\"text-copy bodyCopy auto paywall-locker\">\n<div data-analytics-id=\"utility-bar\" id=\"utility-bar\" class=\"font-ui-heading flex justify-between items-center py-2 border-t border-b border-gray-300 border-solid mb-5 mx-auto\" data-component-name=\"UtilityBar\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"utility-bar\">\n<div class=\"flex gap-2 text-[#333] subcontainer\">\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<div data-component-name=\"Social:Dropdown\" role=\"menu\" id=\"utilitybar__dropdown--share\" aria-labelledby=\"utilitybar__button--share\" class=\"absolute left-0 top-full w-44 bg-white rounded-md shadow-md border border-neutral-200 z-[9996] list-none m-0 py-2 px-3 border-solid\">\n<ul class=\"m-0!\">\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>Facebook<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>X<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>Pinterest<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>Email<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-share-this-article\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nShare this article\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\"><span class=\"ml-1 inline-flex h-5 px-2 shrink-0 items-center justify-center self-center overflow-hidden whitespace-nowrap rounded-[10px] bg-primary-500 text-[11px] leading-none font-ui-heading font-semibold text-white\">0<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-join-the-conversation\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nJoin the conversation\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"flex gap-2 text-[#333] subcontainer\">\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<p>Follow us<\/p>\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-add-us-as-a-preferred-source-on-google\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nAdd us as a preferred source on Google\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-subscribe-to-our-newsletter\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nSubscribe to our newsletter\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p id=\"elk-517892ee-8c49-11f1-abbd-87a4cffc5221\">The biggest theatre for women&#8217;s pro cycling raises the curtain on Saturday for nine days of racing at the Tour de France Femmes avec Swift. The pageantry of international riders and swirl of new team colours will blend quickly during the Grand D\u00e9part in Lausanne, Switzerland, where the first yellow jersey will be awarded after a climb above Lake Geneva.<\/p>\n<p>There are 13 riders from North America on nine teams in the field, representing Canada, Cuba, Mexico and the United States. Five of those competitors make their debut at this Grand Tour.<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-517892ee-8c49-11f1-abbd-87a4cffc5221-2\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">World champion Magdeleine Vallieres (EF Education-Oatly) is still just 24 years old and has competed in all four previous editions of the modern Tour de France for women, the most appearances of any in this continental contingent. Her teammate and USPro road champion Kristen Faulkner returns for a third time. The same goes for USA&#8217;s Lily Williams (Human Powered Health) and Canadian Alison Jackson (St Michel-Preference Home-Auber93), who have each raced three times at the Tour.<\/p>\n<div class=\"my-6 w-full overflow-hidden rounded-[10px] lg:my-8\" data-component-name=\"JwPlayer:Carousel\" data-jwp-carousel data-jwp-carousel-payload=\"{&quot;ids&quot;:{&quot;playerID&quot;:&quot;jYDCcabO&quot;,&quot;searchPlaylistID&quot;:&quot;gwjdoYHD&quot;,&quot;divID&quot;:&quot;botr_gwjdoYHD_jYDCcabO_div&quot;,&quot;fallbackPlaylistID&quot;:&quot;gwjdoYHD&quot;,&quot;fallbackDivID&quot;:&quot;botr_gwjdoYHD_jYDCcabO_div&quot;,&quot;key&quot;:&quot;X9\/mXVGac0NphghLH9hZaqWA5d3dhAM\/Ih07grnEyMLjuO2E&quot;,&quot;tintLogo&quot;:true,&quot;useSearchPlaylist&quot;:false,&quot;enabled&quot;:true},&quot;signPostingEnabled&quot;:true,&quot;signPostingLinkEnabled&quot;:true,&quot;waitForAdLoad&quot;:false,&quot;hidePlayerOnDesktop&quot;:false,&quot;hidePlayerOnMobile&quot;:false,&quot;hidePlayerOnTablet&quot;:false}\">\n<div class=\"flex flex-nowrap items-center justify-between gap-3 bg-zinc-900 px-[14px] py-3\" data-jwp-carousel-header>\n<div class=\"flex min-w-0 shrink items-center\"><span class=\"inline-flex items-center gap-1.5 text-sm font-article-heading capitalize leading-5 text-white whitespace-nowrap\"><span class=\"jwp-carousel-title-desktop\">Latest Videos From<\/span><span class=\"jwp-carousel-brand\">Cyclingnews<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"min-h-[44px] bg-zinc-900 px-[14px] py-3\" data-jwp-carousel-signposting><a class=\"invisible block truncate text-sm font-bold leading-5 text-white underline decoration-solid underline-offset-2\" data-jwp-carousel-signposting-link href target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span data-jwp-carousel-signposting-title>Watch full video here: <\/span><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">What eludes these Grand Tour veterans is a first-time stage win at the world&#8217;s biggest stage race. It&#8217;s hard to believe many of these accomplished riders have yet to post a result from the Tour.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Here is a look at the abundance of talent from across North America who will compete over the next nine days, August 1-9, to support team leaders and grab opportunities for stage wins at the Tour de France Femmes.<\/p>\n<aside data-component-name=\"Recirculation:ArticleRiver\" data-recirculation-type=\"inline\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"Trending Bar\" data-nosnippet class=\"clear-both pt-2 pb-0 mb-4\"><span class=\"\n            flex\n            after:content-[&apos;&apos;] after:flex-1 after:ml-4 after:my-[0.7rem] after:border-t after:border-solid after:border-t-[#ccc]\n            before:content-[&apos;&apos;] before:flex-1 before:mr-4 before:my-[0.7rem] before:border-t before:border-solid before:border-t-[#ccc]\n            font-article-heading pb-0 text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,1em)] uppercase sm:text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,0.875em)] font-bold\n        \"><br \/>\n            You may like<br \/>\n        <\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"flex flex-col gap-0 m-0 max-w-full\">\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-1\" id=\"recirculation-inline-1\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-1\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-1\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/oNL5LRQrihiFfcMJAHKNRU-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/oNL5LRQrihiFfcMJAHKNRU-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">The seven riders from Australia and New Zealand taking to the start line at the Tour de France Femmes<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-2\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-2\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-2\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/x2erRPrkRHSd8wS8rNtXkN-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/x2erRPrkRHSd8wS8rNtXkN-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">Tour de France Femmes contenders \u2013 Demi Vollering and Pauline Ferrand-Pr\u00e9vot poised for fantastic duel with Ventoux finale<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ccc] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-3\" id=\"recirculation-inline-3\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-3\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-3\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/h62jRZjQYyMgvcAPGGLq5L-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/h62jRZjQYyMgvcAPGGLq5L-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">&#8216;We still have to win a race before the year ends&#8217; \u2013 Alison Jackson and ambitious St Michel squad aim high at the Tour de France Femmes and beyond<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<h2 class=\"article-body__section kiosq-b\" id=\"section-canada\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><span>Canada<\/span><\/h2>\n<h4 class=\"article-body__section kiosq-b\" id=\"section-magdeleine-vallieres-ef-education-oatly\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><span>Magdeleine Vallieres (EF Education-Oatly)<\/span><\/h4>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-ebe9783e-8c58-11f1-b498-a56b2b6adcd8\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JBVWR7WoqgCDStoJyohBLe-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JBVWR7WoqgCDStoJyohBLe-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JBVWR7WoqgCDStoJyohBLe-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JBVWR7WoqgCDStoJyohBLe-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JBVWR7WoqgCDStoJyohBLe-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JBVWR7WoqgCDStoJyohBLe-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Magdeleine Vallieres of EF Education-Oatly finished 10th on stage 9 at the 2026 Giro d&#8217;Italia Women, moving to 12th on GC <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-ebe978d4-8c58-11f1-8964-233a45abc21e\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">World champion Magdeleine Vallieres has her eyes focused and legs primed for the mountains at this hilly Tour de France. The abundance of climbing is suited to her attacking style, and she said recently: &#8220;I&#8217;m mostly excited about stage five and the stage in Nice, but any stages where I can try to be aggressive, I am looking forward to&#8221;.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The Canadian climber has started in all four of the previous editions of the revived Tour de France Femmes, last year finishing eighth across hilly terrain into Ambert on stage 6, and then helping French teammate C\u00e9drine Kerbaol to eighth overall in the GC after the final three mountain stages. She&#8217;ll support Kerbaol again, but this time has the jersey as World Champion for added inspiration.<\/p>\n<div id=\"slice-container-newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-kxeSNiMMLeeMqgWSvFnHWG\" class=\"slice-container newsletter-inbodyContent-slice newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-kxeSNiMMLeeMqgWSvFnHWG slice-container-newsletterForm\">\n<div data-hydrate=\"true\" class=\"newsletter-form__wrapper newsletter-form__wrapper--inbodyContent\">\n<div class=\"newsletter-form__container\">\n<section class=\"newsletter-form__top-bar\">\n<div class=\"newsletter-form__header\">Get The Leadout Newsletter<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section class=\"newsletter-form__main-section\">\n<p class=\"newsletter-form__strapline\">The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!<\/p>\n<footer class=\"newsletter-form__footer \">By submitting your information you agree to the Terms &amp; Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.<\/footer>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The 24-year-old Canadian hasn&#8217;t won a race yet in the rainbow stripes, though she&#8217;s had top 10s at Setmana Ciclista Volta Femenina and Giro d&#8217;Italia stage races. At the Giro, she had the best placement in the GC for EF Education-EasyPost in 12th, so she can provide leadership if needed.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"article-body__section kiosq-b\" id=\"section-isabella-holmgren-lidl-trek\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><span>Isabella Holmgren (Lidl-Trek)<\/span><\/h2>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-ee3041fa-8c61-11f1-9f2c-e5bc1d7a7c37\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Y2j6wt65BbBFNbXhVv2hs6-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Y2j6wt65BbBFNbXhVv2hs6-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Y2j6wt65BbBFNbXhVv2hs6-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Y2j6wt65BbBFNbXhVv2hs6-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Y2j6wt65BbBFNbXhVv2hs6-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Y2j6wt65BbBFNbXhVv2hs6-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Isabella Holmgren of Canada (Lidl &#8211; Trek) celebrates at podium as White Best Young Rider Jersey winner the 2026 Giro d&#8217;Italia Women <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-ee30425e-8c61-11f1-8f05-a33ccc5fcb6b\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Isabella Holmgren makes her debut at the Tour de France Femmes and is expected to excel with her climbing skills on seven of the nine stages. The best young rider from this year&#8217;s Giro d&#8217;Italia Women, the 21-year-old Canadian headlines the 26 riders expected to make up the under-23 youth competition at the Tour, and will be a favourite for the white jersey.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Lidl-Trek is counting on her all-around skills as a one-two punch with Niamh Fisher-Black for both stage and GC performances.<\/p>\n<aside data-component-name=\"Recirculation:ArticleRiver\" data-recirculation-type=\"inline\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"Trending Bar\" data-nosnippet class=\"clear-both pt-2 pb-0 mb-4\"><span class=\"\n            flex\n            after:content-[&apos;&apos;] after:flex-1 after:ml-4 after:my-[0.7rem] after:border-t after:border-solid after:border-t-[#ccc]\n            before:content-[&apos;&apos;] before:flex-1 before:mr-4 before:my-[0.7rem] before:border-t before:border-solid before:border-t-[#ccc]\n            font-article-heading pb-0 text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,1em)] uppercase sm:text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,0.875em)] font-bold\n        \"><br \/>\n            What to read next<br \/>\n        <\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"flex flex-col gap-0 m-0 max-w-full\">\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-1\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2-1\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-1\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-1\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/iemamTjEsJtjARAiDGwUDD-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/iemamTjEsJtjARAiDGwUDD-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">Wide open Tour de Suisse Women as Demi Vollering skips race to prepare for Tour de France Femmes &#8211; Analysing the contenders<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-2\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2-2\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-2\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-2\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6Qwro5SviMvjEWT5r6dTD4-250-80.png.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6Qwro5SviMvjEWT5r6dTD4-150-80.png.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">Can FDJ United-SUEZ defend their title without Demi Vollering? \u2013 Analysing the contenders for La Vuelta Femenina 2026<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ccc] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-3\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2-3\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-3\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-3\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/zGGKQ8CVaKpYUFXtgyx7CC-250-80.png.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/zGGKQ8CVaKpYUFXtgyx7CC-150-80.png.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">Demi Vollering and Elisa Longo Borghini set to do battle, but super strong rivals could surprise them \u2013 Analysing the contenders for the Giro d&#8217;Italia Women<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;Mont Ventoux will show the best climbers of the Tour, and we have good chances there with Bella and Niamh on the start line,&#8221; said Ina-Yoko Teutenberg, Lidl-Trek&#8217;s lead sports director. &#8220;We start the race with a first priority for stage wins, and then we see where we can end up on GC with Bella and Niamh both being co-leaders.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The Lidl-Trek team hopes she will invigorate a roster of veterans who, surprisingly, have yet to capture a stage win at the Tour over the last five years.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"article-body__section kiosq-b\" id=\"section-sarah-van-dam-visma-lease-a-bike\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><span>Sarah van Dam (Visma-Lease a Bike)<\/span><\/h2>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-624ea8b0-8c62-11f1-b969-834b24f670fa\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3VDDFHiQuBUHZ7eus3Dq9E-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3VDDFHiQuBUHZ7eus3Dq9E-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3VDDFHiQuBUHZ7eus3Dq9E-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3VDDFHiQuBUHZ7eus3Dq9E-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3VDDFHiQuBUHZ7eus3Dq9E-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3VDDFHiQuBUHZ7eus3Dq9E-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Sarah van Dam Visma-Lease a Bike crosses the finish line on stage 2 of Tour de Suisse in second place <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-ee30431c-8c61-11f1-9439-ab13761cdc45\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Visma-Lease a Bike has set up its squad to support the Tour de France Femmes title defense for Pauline Ferrand-Pr\u00e9vot, but also given freedom to riders like 24-year-old Canadian Sarah van Dam to go for stage wins, Team Manager Rutger Tijssen saying, &#8220;if you&#8217;re racing at the front, you&#8217;re always in contention for victory&#8221;.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">This is Van Dam&#8217;s second consecutive appearance at the French Grand Tour, returning with strong performances across the Spring Classics and into Vuelta Espa\u00f1a and Tour de Suisse Women.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">In the two stage races she landed six top 10s on stages, including seventh overall in Switzerland. While the massive mountain climb to Mont Ventoux may not be her ideal ascent, she can help launch team leader Ferrand-Prevot there and look to thrive across other hilly terrain during the week.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"article-body__section kiosq-b\" id=\"section-alison-jackson-st-michel-preference-home-auber93\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><span>Alison Jackson (St Michel-Preference Home-Auber93)<\/span><\/h2>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-cf44f3d8-8c68-11f1-9d2b-b5ffb0d3dee8\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QpkZMCwEofZqpBzdcTKz4F-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QpkZMCwEofZqpBzdcTKz4F-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QpkZMCwEofZqpBzdcTKz4F-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QpkZMCwEofZqpBzdcTKz4F-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QpkZMCwEofZqpBzdcTKz4F-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QpkZMCwEofZqpBzdcTKz4F-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Alison Jackson of ST MICHEL &#8211; PREFERENCE HOME &#8211; AUBER93 is awarded as the most combative rider after stage 5 of the Giro d&#8217;Italia Women <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-cf44f770-8c68-11f1-9649-fb9708ac0c84\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Former Canadian road champion Alison Jackson comes to her fourth Tour de France Femmes, this time leading the hunt for stage wins for French ProTeam St Michel-Preference Home-Auber93. Her speciality comes in one-day races, no matter the distance or the surface, having taken her signature Classics victory in 2023 at Paris-Roubaix Femmes. But she&#8217;s also won a stage at the Vuelta Espa\u00f1a and taken several podiums at international gravel races.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">She is a dangerous rider if allowed to steal away in a breakaway, which almost landed her a win on stage 7 at this year&#8217;s Giro d&#8217;Italia, ending one spot off the podium in a four-rider sprint, but with the consolation prize as most combative rider. After a handful of races at home in Canada, where she went fourth this time at road nationals, the 37-year-old spent three weeks in Colorado training at elevation with her teammates in preparation for the Tour de France.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"article-body__section kiosq-b\" id=\"section-kiara-lylyk-mayenne-monbana-mypie\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><span>Kiara Lylyk (Mayenne Monbana MyPie)<\/span><\/h2>\n<p id=\"elk-cf44f86a-8c68-11f1-8a7e-4dc7e6bc93b6\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Another rider who should vye for the white best young rider&#8217;s jersey is 22-year-old Kiara Lylyk. She made her first appearance at the Tour last year when the Mayenne Monbana MyPie squad flew under the branding of Winspace Orange Seal.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Lylyk has a gold medal from Team Pursuit from the 2023 Pan American Track Championships, and that same year earned her first UCI top five as an elite rider at Tour de Gatineau.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">She comes into the race in good form with a fifth place on the hilly opening stage at Volta Catalunya and followed with four stage top 10s at Volta a Portugal.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"article-body__section kiosq-b\" id=\"section-nadia-gontova-liv-alula-jayco\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><span>Nadia Gontova (Liv-AlUla-Jayco)<\/span><\/h2>\n<p id=\"elk-cf44f9aa-8c68-11f1-925f-c1df77b14f73\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The reigning Canadian time trial champion is Nadia Gontova, makes her second appearance at the Tour but this time with Liv-AlUla-Jayco. Riding last year she as the top performer on the ProTeam Winspace Orange Seal squad, Gontova finished 10th on the final stage and went 23rd overall.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">She&#8217;s proven that climbing is her forte, earning second on GC at last year&#8217;s Tour F\u00e9minin International des Pyr\u00e9n\u00e9es just a year after taking the same GC position at UCI stage races Tour of the Gila and Vuelta a Colombia.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">While her only victory this year has been in the ITT at nationals, she&#8217;s had top 20 results on GC at Giro d&#8217;Italia Women and Tour de Suisse.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"article-body__section kiosq-b\" id=\"section-united-states\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><span>United States<\/span><\/h3>\n<h2 class=\"article-body__section kiosq-b\" id=\"section-kristen-faulkner-ef-education-oatly\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><span>Kristen Faulkner (EF Education-Oatly)<\/span><\/h2>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-154d7cd6-8ce8-11f1-bc89-13b107cc2807\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/GxkmZsyEbQkH5gez9CPYYm-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/GxkmZsyEbQkH5gez9CPYYm-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/GxkmZsyEbQkH5gez9CPYYm-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/GxkmZsyEbQkH5gez9CPYYm-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/GxkmZsyEbQkH5gez9CPYYm-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/GxkmZsyEbQkH5gez9CPYYm-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">US rider Kristen Faulkner of EF Education-Oatly <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-154d7d44-8ce8-11f1-b73c-7f0216f66358\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Olympic champion Kristen Faulkner has won stages at the Giro and Vuelta but her quest to complete the set at all three Grand Tours remains unfinished business. Her EF Education-Oatly team remains winless as well at the Tour de France, so taking each stage as a one-day race could have a double effect.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The 21km ITT on stage 4 is a prime day for the 33-year-old who won the Pan-American time trial to begin her season. Like her teammate Vallieres, Faulkner can also take advantage of breakaway opportunities on hilly terrain.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;As a team, I know we want to win a few stages, and I&#8217;d love to win a stage myself. It will be very hot so I&#8217;m really trying to acclimate to heat as much as possible. But I think it&#8217;s going to be difficult, no matter what,&#8221; Faulkner said in a team statement.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The 33-year-old US rider won&#8217;t be wearing the familiar stars-and-stripes jersey she&#8217;s held for two consecutive years, travel issues keeping her away USPro Nationals this year, and instead she focused on a European summer campaign at the Vuelta and Giro. After the last few weeks back in the US for altitude camp, Faulkner is one to watch each day at the Tour.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"article-body__section kiosq-b\" id=\"section-lily-williams-human-powered-health\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><span>Lily Williams (Human Powered Health)<\/span><\/h2>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-e935addc-8cea-11f1-94d1-710dfc3d2ea7\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/UUSEJksxj6dFueiE8mVohe-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/UUSEJksxj6dFueiE8mVohe-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/UUSEJksxj6dFueiE8mVohe-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/UUSEJksxj6dFueiE8mVohe-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/UUSEJksxj6dFueiE8mVohe-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/UUSEJksxj6dFueiE8mVohe-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Lily Williams of Human Powered Health crosses the finish line in second place on stage 3 at Giro d&#8217;Italia Women 2026 <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-e935ae7c-8cea-11f1-bb2f-0711a4d5e92e\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">An Olympic Champion on the track, Lily Williams is on another track this year, which is a pathway to a UCI road victory. She has two runner-up results at her last stage races &#8211; Tour de Suisse Women and Giro d&#8217;Italia Women, and this year&#8217;s Tour de France has a handful of finishes suited to her ability to cover some climbing and save a kick at the end.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;I think the harder sprint definitely suits me more,&#8221; she said after her stage 3 at the Giro, where she launched early and managed to gap the field with eventual winner Elisa Balsamo (Lidl-Trek). There are a number of stages at the Tour that have similar terrain with rolling hills, a couple of late categorised climbs and then a punchy finish, including stage 1 in Switzerland with a 2.5km uphill finale. An eighth Grand Tour has lots of opportunities for Williams.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"article-body__section kiosq-b\" id=\"section-natalie-quinn-mayenne-monbana-mypie\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><span>Natalie Quinn (Mayenne Monbana MyPie)<\/span><\/h2>\n<p id=\"elk-f973fa74-8cee-11f1-824d-354fcbdd3f44\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">This French team features two North Americans on the Tour roster and Natalie Quinn is the US representative alongside Canadian Kiara Lylyk. Last month at the Volta a Portugal, both landed in the top 15 on GC, with Quinn the better of the duo in 11th overall<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Quinn is a Tour debutant at age 24 and looks to make an impact on the favoured hilly terrain. She won the mountains classification at the 2025 Volta a Portugal. At the end of last season she earned sixth in a stacked field at Maryland Cycling Classic. Most recently, she finished ninth at a hilly La P\u00e9rigord Ladies in France.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"article-body__section kiosq-b\" id=\"section-heidi-franz-and-caroline-wreszin-st-michel-preference-home-auber93\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><span>Heidi Franz and Caroline Wreszin (St Michel-Preference Home-Auber93)<\/span><\/h2>\n<p id=\"elk-f973fb50-8cee-11f1-877d-cfbb84e2e6d1\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">When French road team St Michel-Preference Home-Auber93 committed three weeks to a training camp for the Tour de France Femmes, they went in the unlikely direction of the US for high elevation in Colorado. With team sponsors in the Boulder area and several team members from North America, it was a welcome experience for US riders Heidi Franz and Caroline Wreszin.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Both Franz and Wreszin make their Tour debuts this year, and for 10-year veteran Franz it is a welcome opportunity to showcase her all-around skills. While most of her success had been in the US, with GC win at Redlands Bicycle Classic and podiums at Joe Martin Stage Race, she&#8217;s built endurance on gravel with podiums at RADL GRVL, Nordic Gravel Series, then going 13th overall at UCI Gravel World Championships. Last year she won the mountains classification at Tour F\u00e9minin International des Pyr\u00e9n\u00e9es and was third overall at Volta a Portugal.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The 25-year-old Wreszin has a powerful engine for the time trial, finishing in the top 10 the last two years at USPro ITT nationals. The challenging mid-stage ascent will suit her climbing ability.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Look for both US riders to get in the action to help Alison Jackson get into late breaks, and to look for their own strikes.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"article-body__section kiosq-b\" id=\"section-cuba\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><span>Cuba<\/span><\/h3>\n<h2 class=\"article-body__section kiosq-b\" id=\"section-arlenis-sierra-movistar\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><span>Arlenis Sierra (Movistar)<\/span><\/h2>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-67724a66-8c69-11f1-af68-b1acabe1f31b\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/NLJxgPyvTsDwwJLrqZAzQC-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/NLJxgPyvTsDwwJLrqZAzQC-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/NLJxgPyvTsDwwJLrqZAzQC-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/NLJxgPyvTsDwwJLrqZAzQC-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/NLJxgPyvTsDwwJLrqZAzQC-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/NLJxgPyvTsDwwJLrqZAzQC-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Arlenis Sierra of Movistar on the attack at Paris-Roubaix <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-67724aca-8c69-11f1-911a-a15717adbfe3\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">All-rounder Arlenis Sierra has a growing medal count of Cuban national championships, winning both the road race and time trial titles in the same year four times. She then stopped racing after the double wins in 2024 to focus on growing her family and had a son, Marck, in March 2025. The 33-year-old is back in a big way for Movistar this year, coming second at Clasica de Almeria, riding to ninth at Paris-Roubaix Femmes and taking top 10s on stages at Vuelta Espa\u00f1a and Giro d&#8217;Italia.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The versatile Cuban rider will support Movistar team leader Marlen Reusser at this Tour, a second for Sierra. If Reusser falters in the the GC standings, look for Sierra to have a green light for an abundance of opportunities across hilly terrain where she thrives.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"article-body__section kiosq-b\" id=\"section-mexico\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><span>Mexico<\/span><\/h3>\n<h2 class=\"article-body__section kiosq-b\" id=\"section-romina-hinojosa-lotto-intermarche\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><span>Romina Hinojosa (Lotto-Intermarch\u00e9)<\/span><\/h2>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-9ea61156-8cf1-11f1-86fa-63c612dac366\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hNFSNoqXEJ4q7UnXkTRzEf-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hNFSNoqXEJ4q7UnXkTRzEf-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hNFSNoqXEJ4q7UnXkTRzEf-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hNFSNoqXEJ4q7UnXkTRzEf-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hNFSNoqXEJ4q7UnXkTRzEf-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hNFSNoqXEJ4q7UnXkTRzEf-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Romina Hinojosa of Mexico competes for Lotto-Intermarche Ladies at In Flanders Fields 2026 <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-9ea611c4-8cf1-11f1-8072-3b571b855486\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Another debutant at this year&#8217;s Tour is Romina Hinojosa of Lotto-Intermarch\u00e9, who makes just a second Grand Tour start in her burgeoning career after riding Vuelta Espa\u00f1a last season when the Lotto team was on the Continental level.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">She&#8217;s a solid climber who has finished with two silver medals at Mexican Road Nationals and now gets a chance to improve on the ProTeam level. The 23-year-old took on the Classics in Belgium this spring for the first time, calling it &#8220;a dream come true&#8221;, and had modest results, then improved after with fifth at the Internazionale cycling Festival, a time trial in Italy, and top 20 in GC at Volta a Portugal. Her main goal will be to support team leader Sandrine Tas at the Tour.<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-9ea61232-8cf1-11f1-8e7f-eb4a6609c62e\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\"><em><strong>Support our unrivalled coverage of the Tour de France Femmes and women&#8217;s cycling by subscribing to Cyclingnews. In return, you get unlimited access to high-quality journalism, with breaking news, race analysis, and expert insight from inside the women&#8217;s peloton. Plus, the Cyclingnews app lets you follow the action wherever you go!<\/strong><\/em><em><strong>Join today<\/strong><\/em><em><strong>.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>[analyse_source url=&#8221;https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/pro-cycling\/womens-cycling\/riders-from-canada-cuba-mexico-and-usa-among-13-north-americans-in-the-2026-tour-de-france-femmes\/&#8221;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QnpMiA23HXwhj3osep5Ur4-2100-80.jpg&#8221;] 1 Tour de France Femmes contenders \u2013 Demi Vollering and Pauline Ferrand-Pr\u00e9vot poised for fantastic duel with Ventoux finale 2 How to watch Tour de France Femmes 2026 \u2013 Live streams and official broadcasters 3 &#8216;New opportunity, a fresh page&#8217; \u2013 Kasia Niewiadoma-Phinney chases another Tour de France Femmes victory with team [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[226,68],"class_list":["post-2071219","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-politics","tag-crawlmanager","tag-cyclingnews-com"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2071219","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=2071219"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2071219\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2071219"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2071219"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2071219"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}