{"id":2075043,"date":"2026-08-03T07:30:52","date_gmt":"2026-08-03T04:30:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2075043"},"modified":"2026-08-03T07:30:52","modified_gmt":"2026-08-03T04:30:52","slug":"my-longest-race-was-seven-minutes-and-now-its-three-or-four-hours-sandrine-tas-trades-ice-skates-for-a-road-bike-at-debut-tour-de-france-femmes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2075043","title":{"rendered":"&#8216;My longest race was seven minutes and now it&#8217;s three or four hours&#8217; \u2013 Sandrine Tas trades ice skates for a road bike at debut Tour de France Femmes"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/qGMpHkWeFZPY358ScRiCtS-2001-80.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\/NZrX8ZygXnCG4mMGCij7cP-160-80.jpg.webp 160w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/NZrX8ZygXnCG4mMGCij7cP-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                                    As it happened: The GC riders fight for the stage 1 win in Lausanne but nobody can stop the fastest sprinter in the world\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\/XRUUrqwXEXzPFLwJK5pecb-160-80.jpg.webp 160w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/XRUUrqwXEXzPFLwJK5pecb-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                                    As it happened: SD Worx strike again on Tour de France Femmes stage 2 with a perfect chase and unbeatable sprint\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\/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-[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                                    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=\"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<li>\nRoad\n<\/li>\n<li>\nTour de France Femmes\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/nav>\n<h1>&#8216;My longest race was seven minutes and now it&#8217;s three or four hours&#8217; \u2013 Sandrine Tas trades ice skates for a road bike at debut 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>News<\/p>\n<div class=\"my-auto vds-simple-byline\"><span class=\"inline-block vds-author\"><br \/>\nBy<br \/>\nDani Ostanek <\/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=\"2026-08-03T07:30:52Z\" class=\"relative-date\"><br \/>\n3 August 2026<br \/>\n<\/time><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"strapline\">Belgian neo-pro, tackling her third sport as a professional, leads Lotto-Intermarch\u00e9 this week with an eye on the Dijon time trial<\/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\/qGMpHkWeFZPY358ScRiCtS-1920-80.jpg.webp 1920w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/qGMpHkWeFZPY358ScRiCtS-1600-80.jpg.webp 1600w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/qGMpHkWeFZPY358ScRiCtS-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/qGMpHkWeFZPY358ScRiCtS-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/qGMpHkWeFZPY358ScRiCtS-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/qGMpHkWeFZPY358ScRiCtS-750-80.jpg.webp 750w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/qGMpHkWeFZPY358ScRiCtS-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/qGMpHkWeFZPY358ScRiCtS-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/qGMpHkWeFZPY358ScRiCtS-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=\"credit font-article-copy\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\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-9e4e9838-8e89-11f1-9268-8bafe41698a6\">Over the years road cycling has welcomed plenty of new riders from other sports as athletes, who often have found success in endurance-focussed events, make the switch to two wheels.<\/p>\n<p>Possibly the most referenced example of this phenomenon is four-time Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a winner Primo\u017e Rogli\u010d, a former ski jumper. Elsewhere, there&#8217;s Michael Woods, a former elite long-distance runner; Maria Canins, the double Tour de France F\u00e9minin winner and top cross-country skier in Italy; and Clara Hughes, who won Olympic medals in both road cycling and speed skating.<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-9e4e9838-8e89-11f1-9268-8bafe41698a6-2\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">There have been many more riders through the years, of course, and this year&#8217;s Tour de France Femmes welcomed another multi-disciplinarian \u2013 Lotto-Intermarch\u00e9&#8217;s Sandrine Tas.<\/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\">The 30-year-old Belgian is racing her first year at a professional level, having previously been part of the amateur Belco-Van Eyck, and she has impressed from the get go.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Highlights of the first six months with her new team include two stage wins and second overall at the Bretagne Ladies Tour in May, while she also finished on the podium at the Belgian National Championships, with second in the time trial and third in the road race.<\/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\/fWLzyczCcCw2ZFeouC9XQE-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/fWLzyczCcCw2ZFeouC9XQE-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\">Bretagne Ladies Tour: Speedskater Sandrine Tas takes first pro cycling victory on stage 1<\/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\/AKPYwTXys5nHGBTjMjRD6H-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/AKPYwTXys5nHGBTjMjRD6H-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;My first big hit out against every single big rider&#8217; \u2013 Zoe B\u00e4ckstedt relishes star-studded time trial test at debut Tour de France Femmes<\/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\/vSKG5iZEceWtT8mUiSBgZT-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/vSKG5iZEceWtT8mUiSBgZT-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;Less stressful, less sickness, less injury&#8217; \u2013 A year on from disastrous Tour de France Femmes debut Australia&#8217;s Lucie Fityus embraces new role at Picnic-PostNL<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">So how did Tas end up here? As she prepared for the start of the Tour&#8217;s second stage in Aigle, she explained the journey.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;It&#8217;s actually my third sport because I came from inline speed skating, then I went to ice, and now it&#8217;s on the bike,&#8221; Tas told <em>Cyclingnews<\/em>.<\/p>\n<div id=\"slice-container-newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-EDzsG5UPyhQJYF6VDwRXBW\" class=\"slice-container newsletter-inbodyContent-slice newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-EDzsG5UPyhQJYF6VDwRXBW 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\">&#8220;[I switched] because I love cycling. Since I was a little girl, I would watch it with my grandfather, with my family on TV. He gifted me my first road bike.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;It&#8217;s always been a part of training, and, very often, those rides were some of my favourite trainings. So yeah, that&#8217;s basically it. I love cycling. That&#8217;s why I&#8217;m here.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Tas was a junior world champion in inline, also racking up 17 European titles before switching to speed skating in 2018 with the Olympics in mind, as inline isn&#8217;t an Olympic discipline.<\/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\/yphwaXSatNupeTzaL8Yho-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/yphwaXSatNupeTzaL8Yho-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;It&#8217;s less about finding a few more watts, more about understanding the strategy&#8217; \u2013 Kate Courtney&#8217;s road discovery continues with Tour de France Femmes special appearance<\/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\/LwGNhVYdXrv3dnnhovVZoi-250-80.png.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/LwGNhVYdXrv3dnnhovVZoi-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\">&#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><\/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\/pduVrSbBhQ5tn3an23hwWo-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/pduVrSbBhQ5tn3an23hwWo-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;I think this whole Tour is going to be like this&#8217; \u2013\u00a0Demi Vollering&#8217;s less intense Tour de France Femmes preparation already paying dividends with opening stage time gain<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Participations at both the 2022 and 2026 Winter Olympics followed and there was almost a medal in Milan this year, with Tas narrowly missing out on bronze in the 5,000 metres event by a mere 0.13 seconds.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-3382509a-8e97-11f1-891d-ad5c9e76427c\" 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\/8hKiFCPhiWupbutoWCMHX8-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/8hKiFCPhiWupbutoWCMHX8-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/8hKiFCPhiWupbutoWCMHX8-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/8hKiFCPhiWupbutoWCMHX8-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/8hKiFCPhiWupbutoWCMHX8-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/8hKiFCPhiWupbutoWCMHX8-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-3382511c-8e97-11f1-bb9e-a9003a53b46e\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Her commitments in that sport meant her 2026 road season was delayed, with her season debut coming at La Fl\u00e8che Wallonne. The challenge of switching from a relatively intense sport to one focussed on all-day endurance must have been tough, but Tas has managed it swimmingly.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;Well, the similarities are obviously the discipline you need, the preparation, the focus. But the sports are very different,&#8221; Tas said.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;My longest race was seven minutes, and now it&#8217;s three or four hours. So the training changes a bit more towards endurance.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;But we&#8217;re taking it step-by-step. We didn&#8217;t want to do everything all at once, so we&#8217;re building, and we&#8217;re mainly just trying to learn and get stronger, both for the future and for next year. So that&#8217;s the main focus right now.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The Tour debut marks a major step in her career, with Saturday&#8217;s opening stage only the second day of Women&#8217;s WorldTour racing to date. She got a first-hand experience of the madness of the biggest race of the year in Lausanne.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;I think the form was quite good yesterday. It was a bit crazy. The level is so high; it&#8217;s chaotic,&#8221; Tas said.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;Everyone wants to be in the front at the important moments, and unfortunately, yesterday at quite a crucial point in the race, I had a bit of bad luck with a mechanical that I had to change my front wheel.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;I tried everything to get back on the climbs, but at this level, it&#8217;s not so easy, and I just missed out on the front group. Then it was just changing my mind and already starting to think about today.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Sadly, her Lotto-Intermarch\u00e9 team is already suffering at the race, with a trio of riders all crashing out on stage 2.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Tas and her three remaining teammates \u2013 Dina Boels, Romina Hinojosa, and Linda Riedmann \u2013 will battle on though, with the stage 4 time trial among her personal targets this week.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;We definitely want to show ourselves, try to get in some breakaways,&#8221; she said.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;For me personally, I look more towards the sprint stages and the time trial, I want to just see how far I can come. Other than that, there are a lot of people in our team where it&#8217;s their first time. We want to learn, we want to improve, and get stronger towards the future.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\"><strong>Support our unrivalled coverage of the Tour de France Femmes and women&#8217;s cycling by subscribing to <\/strong><em><strong>Cyclingnews<\/strong><\/em><strong>. 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 <\/strong><em><strong>Cyclingnews<\/strong><\/em><strong> app lets you follow the action wherever you go! <\/strong><u><strong>Join today.<\/strong><\/u><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"block mb-5\" id=\"articleTag\" data-component-name=\"PostArticleLinks\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"post-article-links\">\n<div class=\"border-b border-b-black border-solid py-2.5 text-black font-bold uppercase\">CATEGORIES<\/div>\n<nav class=\"py-2.5 flex gap-2.5 flex-wrap\" data-analytics-id=\"article-tag\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-tag\">\n<p>Teams &amp; Riders<\/p>\n<\/nav>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"slice-container-authorBio-EDzsG5UPyhQJYF6VDwRXBW\" class=\"slice-container slice-author-bio authorBio-EDzsG5UPyhQJYF6VDwRXBW 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\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/PSRUchRz7RcBeXHn7hDvCh-140-80.jpg.webp 140w\" sizes=\"99vw\" data-normal=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/PSRUchRz7RcBeXHn7hDvCh.jpg\" data-original-mos=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/PSRUchRz7RcBeXHn7hDvCh.jpg\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/PSRUchRz7RcBeXHn7hDvCh.jpg\" 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\">Dani Ostanek<\/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\">Senior News Writer<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__bio-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"author__biography\">\n<p>Dani Ostanek is Senior News Writer at Cyclingnews, having joined in 2017 as a freelance contributor, later being hired full-time. Her favourite races include Strade Bianche, the Tour de France Femmes, Paris-Roubaix, and Tro-Bro L\u00e9on.<\/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\/fWLzyczCcCw2ZFeouC9XQE-682-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/fWLzyczCcCw2ZFeouC9XQE-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/fWLzyczCcCw2ZFeouC9XQE-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/fWLzyczCcCw2ZFeouC9XQE-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/fWLzyczCcCw2ZFeouC9XQE-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\">Bretagne Ladies Tour: Speedskater Sandrine Tas takes first pro cycling victory on stage 1<\/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\/AKPYwTXys5nHGBTjMjRD6H-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/AKPYwTXys5nHGBTjMjRD6H-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/AKPYwTXys5nHGBTjMjRD6H-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/AKPYwTXys5nHGBTjMjRD6H-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/AKPYwTXys5nHGBTjMjRD6H-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;My first big hit out against every single big rider&#8217; \u2013 Zoe B\u00e4ckstedt relishes star-studded time trial test at debut 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\/vSKG5iZEceWtT8mUiSBgZT-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/vSKG5iZEceWtT8mUiSBgZT-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/vSKG5iZEceWtT8mUiSBgZT-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/vSKG5iZEceWtT8mUiSBgZT-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/vSKG5iZEceWtT8mUiSBgZT-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;Less stressful, less sickness, less injury&#8217; \u2013 A year on from disastrous Tour de France Femmes debut Australia&#8217;s Lucie Fityus embraces new role at Picnic-PostNL<\/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\/yphwaXSatNupeTzaL8Yho-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/yphwaXSatNupeTzaL8Yho-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/yphwaXSatNupeTzaL8Yho-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/yphwaXSatNupeTzaL8Yho-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/yphwaXSatNupeTzaL8Yho-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;It&#8217;s less about finding a few more watts, more about understanding the strategy&#8217; \u2013 Kate Courtney&#8217;s road discovery continues with Tour de France Femmes special appearance<\/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\/pduVrSbBhQ5tn3an23hwWo-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/pduVrSbBhQ5tn3an23hwWo-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/pduVrSbBhQ5tn3an23hwWo-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/pduVrSbBhQ5tn3an23hwWo-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/pduVrSbBhQ5tn3an23hwWo-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 think this whole Tour is going to be like this&#8217; \u2013\u00a0Demi Vollering&#8217;s less intense Tour de France Femmes preparation already paying dividends with opening stage time gain<\/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\/gJ2AKDvZVJJxStmNoxozVd-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/gJ2AKDvZVJJxStmNoxozVd-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/gJ2AKDvZVJJxStmNoxozVd-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/gJ2AKDvZVJJxStmNoxozVd-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/gJ2AKDvZVJJxStmNoxozVd-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\">Charlie Aldridge and Sina Frei add XCO mountain bike title to tally at European championships<\/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\/awCErCFkbGk3oTJxgKtfaA-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/awCErCFkbGk3oTJxgKtfaA-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/awCErCFkbGk3oTJxgKtfaA-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/awCErCFkbGk3oTJxgKtfaA-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/awCErCFkbGk3oTJxgKtfaA-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\">Gravel Earth Series: Marjolein van\u2019t Geloof and Rait Arm win Lithuania&#8217;s Megre Gravel<\/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\/vSKG5iZEceWtT8mUiSBgZT-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/vSKG5iZEceWtT8mUiSBgZT-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/vSKG5iZEceWtT8mUiSBgZT-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/vSKG5iZEceWtT8mUiSBgZT-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/vSKG5iZEceWtT8mUiSBgZT-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;Less stressful, less sickness, less injury&#8217; \u2013 A year on from disastrous Tour de France Femmes debut Australia&#8217;s Lucie Fityus embraces new role at Picnic-PostNL<\/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\/mHuQh5dcyHXGYFsx28sM2R-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/mHuQh5dcyHXGYFsx28sM2R-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/mHuQh5dcyHXGYFsx28sM2R-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/mHuQh5dcyHXGYFsx28sM2R-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/mHuQh5dcyHXGYFsx28sM2R-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;Sitting in the wheels could be a bit boring&#8217; \u2013 C\u00e9lia Gery on the attack as FDJ United-Suez balance yellow goals and opportunism at 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\/nJSgjeasT6MpXgPAUVBYDT-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/nJSgjeasT6MpXgPAUVBYDT-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/nJSgjeasT6MpXgPAUVBYDT-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/nJSgjeasT6MpXgPAUVBYDT-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/nJSgjeasT6MpXgPAUVBYDT-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 never expected to come this close&#8217; \u2013 Riejanne Markus and Lidl-Trek 450 metres from glory as the Tour de France Femmes&#8217; great disruptors<\/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\/ixXB7iH4xaaUwbeEjvXjTJ-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ixXB7iH4xaaUwbeEjvXjTJ-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ixXB7iH4xaaUwbeEjvXjTJ-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ixXB7iH4xaaUwbeEjvXjTJ-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ixXB7iH4xaaUwbeEjvXjTJ-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;Quite shy&#8217; and &#8216;an absolute killer&#8217; \u2013\u00a0The two sides of Tour de France Femmes sprint dominator Lorena Wiebes<\/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 News<\/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\/ZH9tPKdEpRDyEkVonao4Rf-840-80.png.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZH9tPKdEpRDyEkVonao4Rf-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZH9tPKdEpRDyEkVonao4Rf-500-80.png.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZH9tPKdEpRDyEkVonao4Rf-450-80.png.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZH9tPKdEpRDyEkVonao4Rf-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\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;At my very best, I certainly have a chance&#8217; \u2013 Wout van Aert confident in World Championships road race bid after rediscovering top form before Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a<\/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\/uxQp5fRzS4VxGsyfPN95CJ-840-80.png.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/uxQp5fRzS4VxGsyfPN95CJ-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/uxQp5fRzS4VxGsyfPN95CJ-500-80.png.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/uxQp5fRzS4VxGsyfPN95CJ-450-80.png.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/uxQp5fRzS4VxGsyfPN95CJ-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\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Tadej Poga\u010dar confirmed for first return to Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a since 2019 Grand Tour debut<\/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\/gJ2AKDvZVJJxStmNoxozVd-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/gJ2AKDvZVJJxStmNoxozVd-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/gJ2AKDvZVJJxStmNoxozVd-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/gJ2AKDvZVJJxStmNoxozVd-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/gJ2AKDvZVJJxStmNoxozVd-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\">Charlie Aldridge and Sina Frei add XCO mountain bike title to tally at European championships<\/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\/vSKG5iZEceWtT8mUiSBgZT-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/vSKG5iZEceWtT8mUiSBgZT-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/vSKG5iZEceWtT8mUiSBgZT-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/vSKG5iZEceWtT8mUiSBgZT-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/vSKG5iZEceWtT8mUiSBgZT-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;Less stressful, less sickness, less injury&#8217; \u2013 A year on from disastrous Tour de France Femmes debut Australia&#8217;s Lucie Fityus embraces new role at Picnic-PostNL<\/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\/mHuQh5dcyHXGYFsx28sM2R-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/mHuQh5dcyHXGYFsx28sM2R-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/mHuQh5dcyHXGYFsx28sM2R-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/mHuQh5dcyHXGYFsx28sM2R-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/mHuQh5dcyHXGYFsx28sM2R-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;Sitting in the wheels could be a bit boring&#8217; \u2013 C\u00e9lia Gery on the attack as FDJ United-Suez balance yellow goals and opportunism at 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\/nJSgjeasT6MpXgPAUVBYDT-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/nJSgjeasT6MpXgPAUVBYDT-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/nJSgjeasT6MpXgPAUVBYDT-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/nJSgjeasT6MpXgPAUVBYDT-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/nJSgjeasT6MpXgPAUVBYDT-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 never expected to come this close&#8217; \u2013 Riejanne Markus and Lidl-Trek 450 metres from glory as the Tour de France Femmes&#8217; great disruptors<\/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\/2fmbtXZ2fEd6EkmEtQgkd3-1280-80.jpg.webp 1280w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2fmbtXZ2fEd6EkmEtQgkd3-720-80.jpg.webp 720w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2fmbtXZ2fEd6EkmEtQgkd3-640-80.jpg.webp 640w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2fmbtXZ2fEd6EkmEtQgkd3-320-80.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>Unstoppable? The five biggest challenges that Tadej Poga\u010dar will face at this year&#8217;s Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a<\/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>&#8216;At my very best, I certainly have a chance&#8217; \u2013 Wout van Aert confident in World Championships road race bid after rediscovering top form before Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a<\/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>Tour de France Femmes stage 3 LIVE: Vollering involved in early crash on hilly roads into France<\/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>Tadej Poga\u010dar confirmed for first return to Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a since 2019 Grand Tour debut<\/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>&#8216;My longest race was seven minutes and now it&#8217;s three or four hours&#8217; \u2013 Sandrine Tas trades ice skates for a road bike at debut Tour de France Femmes<\/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<li>\nRoad\n<\/li>\n<li>\nTour de France Femmes\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/nav>\n<h1>&#8216;My longest race was seven minutes and now it&#8217;s three or four hours&#8217; \u2013 Sandrine Tas trades ice skates for a road bike at debut 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>News<\/p>\n<div class=\"my-auto vds-simple-byline\"><span class=\"inline-block vds-author\"><br \/>\nBy<br \/>\nDani Ostanek <\/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=\"2026-08-03T07:30:52Z\" class=\"relative-date\"><br \/>\n3 August 2026<br \/>\n<\/time><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"strapline\">Belgian neo-pro, tackling her third sport as a professional, leads Lotto-Intermarch\u00e9 this week with an eye on the Dijon time trial<\/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\/qGMpHkWeFZPY358ScRiCtS-1920-80.jpg.webp 1920w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/qGMpHkWeFZPY358ScRiCtS-1600-80.jpg.webp 1600w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/qGMpHkWeFZPY358ScRiCtS-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/qGMpHkWeFZPY358ScRiCtS-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/qGMpHkWeFZPY358ScRiCtS-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/qGMpHkWeFZPY358ScRiCtS-750-80.jpg.webp 750w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/qGMpHkWeFZPY358ScRiCtS-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/qGMpHkWeFZPY358ScRiCtS-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/qGMpHkWeFZPY358ScRiCtS-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=\"credit font-article-copy\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\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-9e4e9838-8e89-11f1-9268-8bafe41698a6\">Over the years road cycling has welcomed plenty of new riders from other sports as athletes, who often have found success in endurance-focussed events, make the switch to two wheels.<\/p>\n<p>Possibly the most referenced example of this phenomenon is four-time Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a winner Primo\u017e Rogli\u010d, a former ski jumper. Elsewhere, there&#8217;s Michael Woods, a former elite long-distance runner; Maria Canins, the double Tour de France F\u00e9minin winner and top cross-country skier in Italy; and Clara Hughes, who won Olympic medals in both road cycling and speed skating.<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-9e4e9838-8e89-11f1-9268-8bafe41698a6-2\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">There have been many more riders through the years, of course, and this year&#8217;s Tour de France Femmes welcomed another multi-disciplinarian \u2013 Lotto-Intermarch\u00e9&#8217;s Sandrine Tas.<\/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\">The 30-year-old Belgian is racing her first year at a professional level, having previously been part of the amateur Belco-Van Eyck, and she has impressed from the get go.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Highlights of the first six months with her new team include two stage wins and second overall at the Bretagne Ladies Tour in May, while she also finished on the podium at the Belgian National Championships, with second in the time trial and third in the road race.<\/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\/fWLzyczCcCw2ZFeouC9XQE-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/fWLzyczCcCw2ZFeouC9XQE-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\">Bretagne Ladies Tour: Speedskater Sandrine Tas takes first pro cycling victory on stage 1<\/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\/AKPYwTXys5nHGBTjMjRD6H-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/AKPYwTXys5nHGBTjMjRD6H-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;My first big hit out against every single big rider&#8217; \u2013 Zoe B\u00e4ckstedt relishes star-studded time trial test at debut Tour de France Femmes<\/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\/vSKG5iZEceWtT8mUiSBgZT-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/vSKG5iZEceWtT8mUiSBgZT-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;Less stressful, less sickness, less injury&#8217; \u2013 A year on from disastrous Tour de France Femmes debut Australia&#8217;s Lucie Fityus embraces new role at Picnic-PostNL<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">So how did Tas end up here? As she prepared for the start of the Tour&#8217;s second stage in Aigle, she explained the journey.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;It&#8217;s actually my third sport because I came from inline speed skating, then I went to ice, and now it&#8217;s on the bike,&#8221; Tas told <em>Cyclingnews<\/em>.<\/p>\n<div id=\"slice-container-newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-EDzsG5UPyhQJYF6VDwRXBW\" class=\"slice-container newsletter-inbodyContent-slice newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-EDzsG5UPyhQJYF6VDwRXBW 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\">&#8220;[I switched] because I love cycling. Since I was a little girl, I would watch it with my grandfather, with my family on TV. He gifted me my first road bike.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;It&#8217;s always been a part of training, and, very often, those rides were some of my favourite trainings. So yeah, that&#8217;s basically it. I love cycling. That&#8217;s why I&#8217;m here.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Tas was a junior world champion in inline, also racking up 17 European titles before switching to speed skating in 2018 with the Olympics in mind, as inline isn&#8217;t an Olympic discipline.<\/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\/yphwaXSatNupeTzaL8Yho-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/yphwaXSatNupeTzaL8Yho-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;It&#8217;s less about finding a few more watts, more about understanding the strategy&#8217; \u2013 Kate Courtney&#8217;s road discovery continues with Tour de France Femmes special appearance<\/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\/LwGNhVYdXrv3dnnhovVZoi-250-80.png.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/LwGNhVYdXrv3dnnhovVZoi-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\">&#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><\/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\/pduVrSbBhQ5tn3an23hwWo-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/pduVrSbBhQ5tn3an23hwWo-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;I think this whole Tour is going to be like this&#8217; \u2013\u00a0Demi Vollering&#8217;s less intense Tour de France Femmes preparation already paying dividends with opening stage time gain<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Participations at both the 2022 and 2026 Winter Olympics followed and there was almost a medal in Milan this year, with Tas narrowly missing out on bronze in the 5,000 metres event by a mere 0.13 seconds.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-3382509a-8e97-11f1-891d-ad5c9e76427c\" 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\/8hKiFCPhiWupbutoWCMHX8-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/8hKiFCPhiWupbutoWCMHX8-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/8hKiFCPhiWupbutoWCMHX8-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/8hKiFCPhiWupbutoWCMHX8-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/8hKiFCPhiWupbutoWCMHX8-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/8hKiFCPhiWupbutoWCMHX8-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-3382511c-8e97-11f1-bb9e-a9003a53b46e\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Her commitments in that sport meant her 2026 road season was delayed, with her season debut coming at La Fl\u00e8che Wallonne. The challenge of switching from a relatively intense sport to one focussed on all-day endurance must have been tough, but Tas has managed it swimmingly.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;Well, the similarities are obviously the discipline you need, the preparation, the focus. But the sports are very different,&#8221; Tas said.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;My longest race was seven minutes, and now it&#8217;s three or four hours. So the training changes a bit more towards endurance.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;But we&#8217;re taking it step-by-step. We didn&#8217;t want to do everything all at once, so we&#8217;re building, and we&#8217;re mainly just trying to learn and get stronger, both for the future and for next year. So that&#8217;s the main focus right now.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The Tour debut marks a major step in her career, with Saturday&#8217;s opening stage only the second day of Women&#8217;s WorldTour racing to date. She got a first-hand experience of the madness of the biggest race of the year in Lausanne.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;I think the form was quite good yesterday. It was a bit crazy. The level is so high; it&#8217;s chaotic,&#8221; Tas said.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;Everyone wants to be in the front at the important moments, and unfortunately, yesterday at quite a crucial point in the race, I had a bit of bad luck with a mechanical that I had to change my front wheel.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;I tried everything to get back on the climbs, but at this level, it&#8217;s not so easy, and I just missed out on the front group. Then it was just changing my mind and already starting to think about today.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Sadly, her Lotto-Intermarch\u00e9 team is already suffering at the race, with a trio of riders all crashing out on stage 2.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Tas and her three remaining teammates \u2013 Dina Boels, Romina Hinojosa, and Linda Riedmann \u2013 will battle on though, with the stage 4 time trial among her personal targets this week.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;We definitely want to show ourselves, try to get in some breakaways,&#8221; she said.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;For me personally, I look more towards the sprint stages and the time trial, I want to just see how far I can come. Other than that, there are a lot of people in our team where it&#8217;s their first time. We want to learn, we want to improve, and get stronger towards the future.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\"><strong>Support our unrivalled coverage of the Tour de France Femmes and women&#8217;s cycling by subscribing to <\/strong><em><strong>Cyclingnews<\/strong><\/em><strong>. 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 <\/strong><em><strong>Cyclingnews<\/strong><\/em><strong> app lets you follow the action wherever you go! <\/strong><u><strong>Join today.<\/strong><\/u><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"block mb-5\" id=\"articleTag\" data-component-name=\"PostArticleLinks\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"post-article-links\">\n<div class=\"border-b border-b-black border-solid py-2.5 text-black font-bold uppercase\">CATEGORIES<\/div>\n<nav class=\"py-2.5 flex gap-2.5 flex-wrap\" data-analytics-id=\"article-tag\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-tag\">\n<p>Teams &amp; Riders<\/p>\n<\/nav>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"slice-container-authorBio-EDzsG5UPyhQJYF6VDwRXBW\" class=\"slice-container slice-author-bio authorBio-EDzsG5UPyhQJYF6VDwRXBW 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\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/PSRUchRz7RcBeXHn7hDvCh-140-80.jpg.webp 140w\" sizes=\"99vw\" data-normal=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/PSRUchRz7RcBeXHn7hDvCh.jpg\" data-original-mos=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/PSRUchRz7RcBeXHn7hDvCh.jpg\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/PSRUchRz7RcBeXHn7hDvCh.jpg\" 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\">Dani Ostanek<\/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\">Senior News Writer<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__bio-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"author__biography\">\n<p>Dani Ostanek is Senior News Writer at Cyclingnews, having joined in 2017 as a freelance contributor, later being hired full-time. Her favourite races include Strade Bianche, the Tour de France Femmes, Paris-Roubaix, and Tro-Bro L\u00e9on.<\/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\/fWLzyczCcCw2ZFeouC9XQE-682-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/fWLzyczCcCw2ZFeouC9XQE-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/fWLzyczCcCw2ZFeouC9XQE-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/fWLzyczCcCw2ZFeouC9XQE-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/fWLzyczCcCw2ZFeouC9XQE-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\">Bretagne Ladies Tour: Speedskater Sandrine Tas takes first pro cycling victory on stage 1<\/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\/AKPYwTXys5nHGBTjMjRD6H-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/AKPYwTXys5nHGBTjMjRD6H-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/AKPYwTXys5nHGBTjMjRD6H-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/AKPYwTXys5nHGBTjMjRD6H-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/AKPYwTXys5nHGBTjMjRD6H-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;My first big hit out against every single big rider&#8217; \u2013 Zoe B\u00e4ckstedt relishes star-studded time trial test at debut 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\/vSKG5iZEceWtT8mUiSBgZT-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/vSKG5iZEceWtT8mUiSBgZT-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/vSKG5iZEceWtT8mUiSBgZT-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/vSKG5iZEceWtT8mUiSBgZT-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/vSKG5iZEceWtT8mUiSBgZT-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;Less stressful, less sickness, less injury&#8217; \u2013 A year on from disastrous Tour de France Femmes debut Australia&#8217;s Lucie Fityus embraces new role at Picnic-PostNL<\/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\/yphwaXSatNupeTzaL8Yho-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/yphwaXSatNupeTzaL8Yho-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/yphwaXSatNupeTzaL8Yho-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/yphwaXSatNupeTzaL8Yho-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/yphwaXSatNupeTzaL8Yho-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;It&#8217;s less about finding a few more watts, more about understanding the strategy&#8217; \u2013 Kate Courtney&#8217;s road discovery continues with Tour de France Femmes special appearance<\/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\/pduVrSbBhQ5tn3an23hwWo-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/pduVrSbBhQ5tn3an23hwWo-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/pduVrSbBhQ5tn3an23hwWo-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/pduVrSbBhQ5tn3an23hwWo-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/pduVrSbBhQ5tn3an23hwWo-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 think this whole Tour is going to be like this&#8217; \u2013\u00a0Demi Vollering&#8217;s less intense Tour de France Femmes preparation already paying dividends with opening stage time gain<\/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\/gJ2AKDvZVJJxStmNoxozVd-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/gJ2AKDvZVJJxStmNoxozVd-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/gJ2AKDvZVJJxStmNoxozVd-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/gJ2AKDvZVJJxStmNoxozVd-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/gJ2AKDvZVJJxStmNoxozVd-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\">Charlie Aldridge and Sina Frei add XCO mountain bike title to tally at European championships<\/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\/awCErCFkbGk3oTJxgKtfaA-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/awCErCFkbGk3oTJxgKtfaA-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/awCErCFkbGk3oTJxgKtfaA-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/awCErCFkbGk3oTJxgKtfaA-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/awCErCFkbGk3oTJxgKtfaA-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\">Gravel Earth Series: Marjolein van\u2019t Geloof and Rait Arm win Lithuania&#8217;s Megre Gravel<\/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\/vSKG5iZEceWtT8mUiSBgZT-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/vSKG5iZEceWtT8mUiSBgZT-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/vSKG5iZEceWtT8mUiSBgZT-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/vSKG5iZEceWtT8mUiSBgZT-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/vSKG5iZEceWtT8mUiSBgZT-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;Less stressful, less sickness, less injury&#8217; \u2013 A year on from disastrous Tour de France Femmes debut Australia&#8217;s Lucie Fityus embraces new role at Picnic-PostNL<\/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\/mHuQh5dcyHXGYFsx28sM2R-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/mHuQh5dcyHXGYFsx28sM2R-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/mHuQh5dcyHXGYFsx28sM2R-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/mHuQh5dcyHXGYFsx28sM2R-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/mHuQh5dcyHXGYFsx28sM2R-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;Sitting in the wheels could be a bit boring&#8217; \u2013 C\u00e9lia Gery on the attack as FDJ United-Suez balance yellow goals and opportunism at 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\/nJSgjeasT6MpXgPAUVBYDT-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/nJSgjeasT6MpXgPAUVBYDT-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/nJSgjeasT6MpXgPAUVBYDT-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/nJSgjeasT6MpXgPAUVBYDT-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/nJSgjeasT6MpXgPAUVBYDT-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 never expected to come this close&#8217; \u2013 Riejanne Markus and Lidl-Trek 450 metres from glory as the Tour de France Femmes&#8217; great disruptors<\/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\/ixXB7iH4xaaUwbeEjvXjTJ-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ixXB7iH4xaaUwbeEjvXjTJ-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ixXB7iH4xaaUwbeEjvXjTJ-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ixXB7iH4xaaUwbeEjvXjTJ-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ixXB7iH4xaaUwbeEjvXjTJ-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;Quite shy&#8217; and &#8216;an absolute killer&#8217; \u2013\u00a0The two sides of Tour de France Femmes sprint dominator Lorena Wiebes<\/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 News<\/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\/ZH9tPKdEpRDyEkVonao4Rf-840-80.png.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZH9tPKdEpRDyEkVonao4Rf-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZH9tPKdEpRDyEkVonao4Rf-500-80.png.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZH9tPKdEpRDyEkVonao4Rf-450-80.png.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZH9tPKdEpRDyEkVonao4Rf-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\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;At my very best, I certainly have a chance&#8217; \u2013 Wout van Aert confident in World Championships road race bid after rediscovering top form before Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a<\/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\/uxQp5fRzS4VxGsyfPN95CJ-840-80.png.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/uxQp5fRzS4VxGsyfPN95CJ-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/uxQp5fRzS4VxGsyfPN95CJ-500-80.png.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/uxQp5fRzS4VxGsyfPN95CJ-450-80.png.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/uxQp5fRzS4VxGsyfPN95CJ-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\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Tadej Poga\u010dar confirmed for first return to Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a since 2019 Grand Tour debut<\/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\/gJ2AKDvZVJJxStmNoxozVd-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/gJ2AKDvZVJJxStmNoxozVd-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/gJ2AKDvZVJJxStmNoxozVd-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/gJ2AKDvZVJJxStmNoxozVd-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/gJ2AKDvZVJJxStmNoxozVd-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\">Charlie Aldridge and Sina Frei add XCO mountain bike title to tally at European championships<\/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\/vSKG5iZEceWtT8mUiSBgZT-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/vSKG5iZEceWtT8mUiSBgZT-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/vSKG5iZEceWtT8mUiSBgZT-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/vSKG5iZEceWtT8mUiSBgZT-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/vSKG5iZEceWtT8mUiSBgZT-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;Less stressful, less sickness, less injury&#8217; \u2013 A year on from disastrous Tour de France Femmes debut Australia&#8217;s Lucie Fityus embraces new role at Picnic-PostNL<\/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\/mHuQh5dcyHXGYFsx28sM2R-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/mHuQh5dcyHXGYFsx28sM2R-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/mHuQh5dcyHXGYFsx28sM2R-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/mHuQh5dcyHXGYFsx28sM2R-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/mHuQh5dcyHXGYFsx28sM2R-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;Sitting in the wheels could be a bit boring&#8217; \u2013 C\u00e9lia Gery on the attack as FDJ United-Suez balance yellow goals and opportunism at 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\/nJSgjeasT6MpXgPAUVBYDT-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/nJSgjeasT6MpXgPAUVBYDT-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/nJSgjeasT6MpXgPAUVBYDT-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/nJSgjeasT6MpXgPAUVBYDT-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/nJSgjeasT6MpXgPAUVBYDT-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 never expected to come this close&#8217; \u2013 Riejanne Markus and Lidl-Trek 450 metres from glory as the Tour de France Femmes&#8217; great disruptors<\/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\/2fmbtXZ2fEd6EkmEtQgkd3-1280-80.jpg.webp 1280w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2fmbtXZ2fEd6EkmEtQgkd3-720-80.jpg.webp 720w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2fmbtXZ2fEd6EkmEtQgkd3-640-80.jpg.webp 640w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2fmbtXZ2fEd6EkmEtQgkd3-320-80.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>Unstoppable? The five biggest challenges that Tadej Poga\u010dar will face at this year&#8217;s Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a<\/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>&#8216;At my very best, I certainly have a chance&#8217; \u2013 Wout van Aert confident in World Championships road race bid after rediscovering top form before Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a<\/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>Tour de France Femmes stage 3 LIVE: Vollering involved in early crash on hilly roads into France<\/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>Tadej Poga\u010dar confirmed for first return to Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a since 2019 Grand Tour debut<\/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>&#8216;My longest race was seven minutes and now it&#8217;s three or four hours&#8217; \u2013 Sandrine Tas trades ice skates for a road bike at debut Tour de France Femmes<\/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<li>\nRoad\n<\/li>\n<li>\nTour de France Femmes\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/nav>\n<h1>&#8216;My longest race was seven minutes and now it&#8217;s three or four hours&#8217; \u2013 Sandrine Tas trades ice skates for a road bike at debut 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>News<\/p>\n<div class=\"my-auto vds-simple-byline\"><span class=\"inline-block vds-author\"><br \/>\nBy<br \/>\nDani Ostanek <\/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=\"2026-08-03T07:30:52Z\" class=\"relative-date\"><br \/>\n3 August 2026<br \/>\n<\/time><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"strapline\">Belgian neo-pro, tackling her third sport as a professional, leads Lotto-Intermarch\u00e9 this week with an eye on the Dijon time trial<\/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-9e4e9838-8e89-11f1-9268-8bafe41698a6\">Over the years road cycling has welcomed plenty of new riders from other sports as athletes, who often have found success in endurance-focussed events, make the switch to two wheels.<\/p>\n<p>Possibly the most referenced example of this phenomenon is four-time Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a winner Primo\u017e Rogli\u010d, a former ski jumper. Elsewhere, there&#8217;s Michael Woods, a former elite long-distance runner; Maria Canins, the double Tour de France F\u00e9minin winner and top cross-country skier in Italy; and Clara Hughes, who won Olympic medals in both road cycling and speed skating.<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-9e4e9838-8e89-11f1-9268-8bafe41698a6-2\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">There have been many more riders through the years, of course, and this year&#8217;s Tour de France Femmes welcomed another multi-disciplinarian \u2013 Lotto-Intermarch\u00e9&#8217;s Sandrine Tas.<\/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\">The 30-year-old Belgian is racing her first year at a professional level, having previously been part of the amateur Belco-Van Eyck, and she has impressed from the get go.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Highlights of the first six months with her new team include two stage wins and second overall at the Bretagne Ladies Tour in May, while she also finished on the podium at the Belgian National Championships, with second in the time trial and third in the road race.<\/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\/fWLzyczCcCw2ZFeouC9XQE-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/fWLzyczCcCw2ZFeouC9XQE-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\">Bretagne Ladies Tour: Speedskater Sandrine Tas takes first pro cycling victory on stage 1<\/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\/AKPYwTXys5nHGBTjMjRD6H-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/AKPYwTXys5nHGBTjMjRD6H-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;My first big hit out against every single big rider&#8217; \u2013 Zoe B\u00e4ckstedt relishes star-studded time trial test at debut Tour de France Femmes<\/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\/vSKG5iZEceWtT8mUiSBgZT-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/vSKG5iZEceWtT8mUiSBgZT-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;Less stressful, less sickness, less injury&#8217; \u2013 A year on from disastrous Tour de France Femmes debut Australia&#8217;s Lucie Fityus embraces new role at Picnic-PostNL<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">So how did Tas end up here? As she prepared for the start of the Tour&#8217;s second stage in Aigle, she explained the journey.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;It&#8217;s actually my third sport because I came from inline speed skating, then I went to ice, and now it&#8217;s on the bike,&#8221; Tas told <em>Cyclingnews<\/em>.<\/p>\n<div id=\"slice-container-newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-EDzsG5UPyhQJYF6VDwRXBW\" class=\"slice-container newsletter-inbodyContent-slice newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-EDzsG5UPyhQJYF6VDwRXBW 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\">&#8220;[I switched] because I love cycling. Since I was a little girl, I would watch it with my grandfather, with my family on TV. He gifted me my first road bike.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;It&#8217;s always been a part of training, and, very often, those rides were some of my favourite trainings. So yeah, that&#8217;s basically it. I love cycling. That&#8217;s why I&#8217;m here.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Tas was a junior world champion in inline, also racking up 17 European titles before switching to speed skating in 2018 with the Olympics in mind, as inline isn&#8217;t an Olympic discipline.<\/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\/yphwaXSatNupeTzaL8Yho-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/yphwaXSatNupeTzaL8Yho-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;It&#8217;s less about finding a few more watts, more about understanding the strategy&#8217; \u2013 Kate Courtney&#8217;s road discovery continues with Tour de France Femmes special appearance<\/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\/LwGNhVYdXrv3dnnhovVZoi-250-80.png.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/LwGNhVYdXrv3dnnhovVZoi-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\">&#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><\/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\/pduVrSbBhQ5tn3an23hwWo-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/pduVrSbBhQ5tn3an23hwWo-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;I think this whole Tour is going to be like this&#8217; \u2013\u00a0Demi Vollering&#8217;s less intense Tour de France Femmes preparation already paying dividends with opening stage time gain<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Participations at both the 2022 and 2026 Winter Olympics followed and there was almost a medal in Milan this year, with Tas narrowly missing out on bronze in the 5,000 metres event by a mere 0.13 seconds.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-3382509a-8e97-11f1-891d-ad5c9e76427c\" 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\/8hKiFCPhiWupbutoWCMHX8-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/8hKiFCPhiWupbutoWCMHX8-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/8hKiFCPhiWupbutoWCMHX8-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/8hKiFCPhiWupbutoWCMHX8-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/8hKiFCPhiWupbutoWCMHX8-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/8hKiFCPhiWupbutoWCMHX8-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-3382511c-8e97-11f1-bb9e-a9003a53b46e\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Her commitments in that sport meant her 2026 road season was delayed, with her season debut coming at La Fl\u00e8che Wallonne. The challenge of switching from a relatively intense sport to one focussed on all-day endurance must have been tough, but Tas has managed it swimmingly.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;Well, the similarities are obviously the discipline you need, the preparation, the focus. But the sports are very different,&#8221; Tas said.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;My longest race was seven minutes, and now it&#8217;s three or four hours. So the training changes a bit more towards endurance.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;But we&#8217;re taking it step-by-step. We didn&#8217;t want to do everything all at once, so we&#8217;re building, and we&#8217;re mainly just trying to learn and get stronger, both for the future and for next year. So that&#8217;s the main focus right now.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The Tour debut marks a major step in her career, with Saturday&#8217;s opening stage only the second day of Women&#8217;s WorldTour racing to date. She got a first-hand experience of the madness of the biggest race of the year in Lausanne.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;I think the form was quite good yesterday. It was a bit crazy. The level is so high; it&#8217;s chaotic,&#8221; Tas said.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;Everyone wants to be in the front at the important moments, and unfortunately, yesterday at quite a crucial point in the race, I had a bit of bad luck with a mechanical that I had to change my front wheel.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;I tried everything to get back on the climbs, but at this level, it&#8217;s not so easy, and I just missed out on the front group. Then it was just changing my mind and already starting to think about today.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Sadly, her Lotto-Intermarch\u00e9 team is already suffering at the race, with a trio of riders all crashing out on stage 2.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Tas and her three remaining teammates \u2013 Dina Boels, Romina Hinojosa, and Linda Riedmann \u2013 will battle on though, with the stage 4 time trial among her personal targets this week.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;We definitely want to show ourselves, try to get in some breakaways,&#8221; she said.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;For me personally, I look more towards the sprint stages and the time trial, I want to just see how far I can come. Other than that, there are a lot of people in our team where it&#8217;s their first time. We want to learn, we want to improve, and get stronger towards the future.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\"><strong>Support our unrivalled coverage of the Tour de France Femmes and women&#8217;s cycling by subscribing to <\/strong><em><strong>Cyclingnews<\/strong><\/em><strong>. 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 <\/strong><em><strong>Cyclingnews<\/strong><\/em><strong> app lets you follow the action wherever you go! <\/strong><u><strong>Join today.<\/strong><\/u><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>[analyse_source url=&#8221;https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/pro-cycling\/womens-cycling\/my-longest-race-was-seven-minutes-and-now-its-three-or-four-hours-sandrine-tas-trades-ice-skates-for-a-road-bike-at-debut-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\/qGMpHkWeFZPY358ScRiCtS-2001-80.jpg&#8221;] 1 As it happened: The GC riders fight for the stage 1 win in Lausanne but nobody can stop the fastest sprinter in the world 2 As it happened: SD Worx strike again on Tour de France Femmes stage 2 with a perfect chase and unbeatable sprint 3 Tour de France Femmes [&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-2075043","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\/2075043","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=2075043"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2075043\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2075043"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2075043"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2075043"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}