{"id":2078265,"date":"2026-08-04T11:11:25","date_gmt":"2026-08-04T08:11:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2078265"},"modified":"2026-08-04T11:11:25","modified_gmt":"2026-08-04T08:11:25","slug":"a-very-swiss-start-to-the-tour-de-france-femmes-but-what-next-for-womens-cycling-in-switzerland","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2078265","title":{"rendered":"A very Swiss start to the Tour de France Femmes, but what next for women&#8217;s cycling in Switzerland?"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/pXS2FwdCCZeSSHqSgQkBnJ-2560-80.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\/Jne4kTcfwJoM4axXspMh87-160-80.jpg.webp 160w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Jne4kTcfwJoM4axXspMh87-80-80.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: Tour de France Femmes stage 4 time trial sparks big time gaps and creates a new GC battle\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\/t4yoWPhT7A6k44w4XM8pAh-160-80.jpg.webp 160w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/t4yoWPhT7A6k44w4XM8pAh-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                                    Tour de France Femmes stage 3 LIVE: An 85km solo attack is rewarded with the stage victory and the leader&#8217;s yellow jersey\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\/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-[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                                    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=\"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>A very Swiss start to the Tour de France Femmes, but what next for women&#8217;s cycling in Switzerland?<\/h1>\n<div class=\"byline-social\">\n<div class=\"vds-byline-block flex flex-row flex-nowrap my-1.5 gap-2 text-left items-start justify-start\" data-component-name=\"Article:BylineBlock\">\n<p>Features<\/p>\n<div class=\"my-auto vds-simple-byline\"><span class=\"inline-block vds-author\"><br \/>\nBy<br \/>\nMatilda Price <\/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=\"2026-08-04T11:11:25Z\" class=\"relative-date\"><br \/>\n4 August 2026<br \/>\n<\/time><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"strapline\">A lovely few days from Lausanne to Geneva, but only two Swiss riders on the start list and not many pathways to the WorldTour<\/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\/pXS2FwdCCZeSSHqSgQkBnJ-1920-80.jpg.webp 1920w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/pXS2FwdCCZeSSHqSgQkBnJ-1600-80.jpg.webp 1600w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/pXS2FwdCCZeSSHqSgQkBnJ-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/pXS2FwdCCZeSSHqSgQkBnJ-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/pXS2FwdCCZeSSHqSgQkBnJ-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/pXS2FwdCCZeSSHqSgQkBnJ-750-80.jpg.webp 750w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/pXS2FwdCCZeSSHqSgQkBnJ-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/pXS2FwdCCZeSSHqSgQkBnJ-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/pXS2FwdCCZeSSHqSgQkBnJ-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\" 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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-11e81ca2-8fec-11f1-92cc-fbccb1b9d555\">Tuesday marks the first full day in France for this year&#8217;s Tour de France Femmes, after a very Swiss start marked the race&#8217;s second-ever foreign Grand D\u00e9part in five editions.<\/p>\n<p>In many ways, the part of Switzerland we were in \u2013 Lausanne, Aigle and Geneva \u2013 doesn&#8217;t feel particularly different from France, as we&#8217;re only just over the border, but there was a distinct Swiss flavour to the first three stages.<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-11e81ca2-8fec-11f1-92cc-fbccb1b9d555-2\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Aside from the Swiss flags lining the roads, the opening stage took place on Swiss National Day, meaning the arrival of the Tour coincided with a festival of celebrations in Lausanne and fireworks in the evening. We paid for everything in CHF, a currency I only ever associate with UCI fines, we saw the United Nations, we did like the locals do and swam in Lake Geneva. A lot of the experience couldn&#8217;t have felt more Swiss.<\/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 reception of the race in Switzerland felt perhaps mixed, with lots of fans out in Lausanne and Aigle, cheering loudest for Marlen Reusser, and in Geneva the finish was fairly well attended, but for the start the next day, it felt like no one even knew there was a race on, the women&#8217;s Tour an afterthought to the city that does, admittedly, have bigger things like world peace to worry about.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Switzerland is a country that has put a lot into supporting women&#8217;s sports \u2013 the nation hosted the women&#8217;s European Championships in football last summer \u2013 and indeed women&#8217;s cycling, with two WorldTour races here in the Tour de Suisse and Tour de Romandie.<\/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\/ePxGEBDAcx43r8MiDvwGvn-250-80.png.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ePxGEBDAcx43r8MiDvwGvn-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\">Five years in, this Tour de France Femmes looks like it will be the best edition yet<\/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\/wVivTeF6EuqCfYFZpr28Nb-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/wVivTeF6EuqCfYFZpr28Nb-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">Tour de France Femmes 2026<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ccc] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-3\" id=\"recirculation-inline-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\/rh92PYzpUFcZqJj6HdxmCc-250-80.png.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/rh92PYzpUFcZqJj6HdxmCc-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\">Why a resurgent Marlen Reusser should be a real worry for Demi Vollering and Pauline Ferrand-Pr\u00e9vot at the Tour de France Femmes \u2013 Analysis<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">But what is going on beyond that? What state of health is women&#8217;s cycling in Switzerland in? Why host the Tour de France Femmes? Whilst we were here, I dug into some of those questions, speaking to the Swiss riders in the race and race director Marion Rousse to go a bit deeper into the Tour&#8217;s Swiss excursion.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"the-swiss-contingent-3\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The Swiss contingent<\/h2>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-3b9fca28-8ff5-11f1-8e38-1f75e9d60b5c\" 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\/XVNyVUZfoAbfFsHXiKbzaW-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/XVNyVUZfoAbfFsHXiKbzaW-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/XVNyVUZfoAbfFsHXiKbzaW-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/XVNyVUZfoAbfFsHXiKbzaW-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/XVNyVUZfoAbfFsHXiKbzaW-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/XVNyVUZfoAbfFsHXiKbzaW-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Marlen Reusser (Movistar) in the peloton during stage 1 of the ongoing Tour de France Femmes in Lausanne <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Thomas Maheux\/SWpix)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-11e81e3c-8fec-11f1-8079-9148d807a98a\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Within the peloton, there was perhaps the feeling that the Swiss contingent was not quite as big as it could have been, with only two Swiss riders, Marlen Reusser (Movistar) and Noemi R\u00fcegg (EF Education-Oatly), taking the start at home.<\/p>\n<div id=\"slice-container-newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-V2t8hmT2NubxJ3KYbpbhC5\" class=\"slice-container newsletter-inbodyContent-slice newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-V2t8hmT2NubxJ3KYbpbhC5 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\">There are six Swiss riders in the WorldTour, and one at ProTeam level, but factors like Elise Chabbey&#8217;s pregnancy and Petra Stiasny&#8217;s injury after her Vuelta Femenina stage win meant that there weren&#8217;t as many home riders on the start line as we may have hoped. Compare and contrast with the Rotterdam Grand D\u00e9part, when there were 32 Dutch riders in action in 2024.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">However, those riders that were here arguably had enough excitement and passion to make up for their lack of numbers.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The biggest star of the pre-race media day, Reusser couldn&#8217;t stop smiling the whole day, underlining repeatedly how special it was not just to be racing the Tour in Switzerland, but doing it in an edition where she was going for the overall win for the first time.<\/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\/jZ3mbHyKV2yXSgDK4xSf3f-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/jZ3mbHyKV2yXSgDK4xSf3f-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\">No superstar rider but SD Worx-Protime count on rising GC talent and home hopeful to take on expanded Tour de Suisse Women<\/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\/iemamTjEsJtjARAiDGwUDD-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/iemamTjEsJtjARAiDGwUDD-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">Wide open Tour de Suisse Women as Demi Vollering skips race to prepare for Tour de France Femmes &#8211; Analysing the contenders<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#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\/jLwHZ9NxxJ6zr25e7LCu6g-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/jLwHZ9NxxJ6zr25e7LCu6g-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\">La Vuelta Femenina conclusions \u2013 A new generation shines, cycling&#8217;s new Swiss Army knife, and attacking pays off<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;I really saw this coming since a long time, and actually my goal was to win the Swiss Championships and stand here with a nice cross. Things didn&#8217;t go as I wanted, but still, it&#8217;s super nice,&#8221; she beamed.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;I&#8217;ve already spent two days in Lausanne, and it feels like there&#8217;s so much excitement already. Everyone&#8217;s talking about us, you see bikes everywhere, people have knitted bikes, cycling is alive here.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;I have the feeling that Romandie is more excited about cycling than the rest of Switzerland right now, so I hope that this fever can spread to the rest of Switzerland.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">For Reusser&#8217;s compatriot Noemi R\u00fcegg, it was a race against time to get to the start in Switzerland. She fractured her humerus in a crash at the Vuelta Femenina in May, and the end of the expected 12-week recovery coincided exactly with the start of the Tour de France Femmes in Lausanne.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;It&#8217;s super special to have the start of the tour here in Switzerland,&#8221; R\u00fcegg said. &#8220;It&#8217;s been marked in my calendar for a while now. We have really big ambitions, but I think I just want to enjoy it as well, to have family and friends alongside the road, and yeah, enjoy the Swiss crowds.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Racing at home is hardly a novelty for Swiss riders, given they have the Tour de Romandie and Tour de Suisse every year, plus the World Championships in Zurich were less than two years ago, but the Tour de France Femmes, and all the fanfare and international attention that comes with it, is clearly on another level.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"why-switzerland-3\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Why Switzerland?<\/h2>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-3b9fcbae-8ff5-11f1-a5d0-f56bee5600fa\" 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\/Fy7WQpQnEhviLerrjuRYQ5-1200-80.png.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Fy7WQpQnEhviLerrjuRYQ5-1024-80.png.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Fy7WQpQnEhviLerrjuRYQ5-970-80.png.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Fy7WQpQnEhviLerrjuRYQ5-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Fy7WQpQnEhviLerrjuRYQ5-480-80.png.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Fy7WQpQnEhviLerrjuRYQ5-320-80.png.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Former Swiss champion R\u00fcegg in the peloton during the 2026 Tour de France Femmes <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-11e81f18-8fec-11f1-8b39-73ac1f7c9f79\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">When the Tour de France Femmes announced that its first foreign Grand D\u00e9part would be in the Netherlands, it felt like the obvious choice, given that perhaps no other nation has contributed so many great stars to the women&#8217;s peloton.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Whilst Switzerland doesn&#8217;t have quite the rich women&#8217;s cycling history of the Netherlands, it also made perfect sense as the place to hold the next Grand D\u00e9part on foreign soil. Its proximity to the French border and the Alps makes for straightforward logistics and no air transfers, it&#8217;s a common stop on the men&#8217;s WorldTour, and of course Aigle is the home of the UCI, who have been working to build the profile of women&#8217;s cycling for the past decade.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Marion Rousse explained a bit more about the decision to come to Switzerland when she spoke to the press pre-race.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;For me, starting in Switzerland is a wonderful story,&#8221; she said. &#8220;A foreign start means a lot to us. It shows that, as the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift, there is a desire in other countries to share the Tour&#8217;s prestige, which is what makes it the greatest race in the world and creates that special magic.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;A nice detail in this Swiss connection is that back in 2022, when Wout van Aert won at the top of the C\u00f4te de Saint-Fran\u00e7ois, where we\u2019ll be [on stage 1], the first edition of the women&#8217;s Tour de France was just days away. Switzerland had already put itself forward to host the women&#8217;s Grand D\u00e9part, without even knowing if it would work out. It really demonstrated their commitment to supporting women&#8217;s sports. That really appealed to us.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;Plus, the route connects Lausanne, the Olympic capital, with Aigle, the home of the UCI, and Geneva, the capital of diplomacy. It\u2019s a really coherent story that I feel reflects the values \u200b\u200bof our sport perfectly. And going from the Swiss Riviera to the French Riviera [in Nice], it all came together beautifully.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The second stage, starting from Aigle, saw female riders from the World Cycling Centre and the IOC Refugee Olympic Team welcomed to the race for a ceremonial ride before the race, a special moment celebrating the inclusivity and growth of the women&#8217;s sport, and another special aspect of starting here in Switzerland.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"women-s-cycling-beyond-the-worldtour-3\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Women&#8217;s cycling beyond the WorldTour<\/h2>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-3b9fcc44-8ff5-11f1-b6f3-17415c104dbb\" 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\/7zzuJFWT9X6eEMf8Xt83Yh-1200-80.png.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7zzuJFWT9X6eEMf8Xt83Yh-1024-80.png.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7zzuJFWT9X6eEMf8Xt83Yh-970-80.png.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7zzuJFWT9X6eEMf8Xt83Yh-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7zzuJFWT9X6eEMf8Xt83Yh-480-80.png.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7zzuJFWT9X6eEMf8Xt83Yh-320-80.png.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Reusser, Chabbey and Ruegg joined by rising talents Liechti and Caluori at the 2025 World Championships <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-11e81fea-8fec-11f1-bbd9-676c03ad907e\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">With two WorldTour races in Switzerland and now the Grand D\u00e9part, it would be easy to assume that women&#8217;s cycling in Switzerland is in rude health, but the story beyond the WorldTour is a little bit more complicated.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">It is true that the nation boasts some incredibly strong riders, both on the men&#8217;s and women&#8217;s side, and when it comes to World Championships and international events, the top riders do get good support from the Swiss federation. At the World Championships in Rwanda, they fielded five women in the elite road events, two in the U23 races, and two in the junior road race, coming away with a rainbow jersey for Reusser in the TT and third in the junior road race for Anja Grossman.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">But if you look a little further down the pyramid, things maybe don&#8217;t look as well-supported. Since the demise of the Roland Le D\u00e9voluy team, there are no Swiss-registered WorldTour or ProTeams \u2013 Swiss men&#8217;s outfits Pinarello-36.5 and Tudor both support female athletes off-road, but not in the road peloton \u2013 and there are just two Continental teams based in Switzerland, the UCI&#8217;s World Cycling Centre team (WCC) and Nexetis.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">As of 2026, there are no lower-level UCI races in Switzerland for women, only the two WorldTour races, which are officially not open to Continental teams or clubs, and the National Championships.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;I think it&#8217;s getting more and more popular. I think we&#8217;ve, yeah, made really big steps the past few years, thanks to the women&#8217;s Tour de Suisse and the Tour de Romandie, and now also with this with these two stages here, I think we can hopefully inspire a lot of young girls and boys to start cycling as well,&#8221; R\u00fcegg said about the state of women&#8217;s cycling in Switzerland.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;I think we still have a long way to go. If you see that also now we are only two Swiss women in the peloton [at the Tour], so I think we can improve that definitely. But we are already on a really good way compared to a few years ago.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The WCC team is ostensibly there to create a pathway for riders from around the world, mainly outside of western Europe and nations that have little to no professional cycling scene, but several Swiss riders have also turned to the team to get their start in cycling, including Reusser.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">R\u00fcegg, meanwhile, found her way through the Akros-Renfer development club, which also kickstarted the careers of Mauro Schmid, Stefan Bissegger and Yannis Voisard, but no longer exists<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The next generation seem to only have a few pathways into the WorldTour. Going via mountain biking is one avenue, as mountain biking is arguably even more popular than road racing in Switzerland, and that&#8217;s worked for riders like Steffi H\u00e4berlin.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Many talented riders are also coming up through the Nexetis squad. They have the super-talented Jasmin Liechti (who also started her career with WCC before joining Nexetis in 2025) signing for Canyon-SRAM for 2027, and Ginia Caluori is on her way to Movistar. They do a great job of finding Swiss talent and showing them to the European peloton, but they are only a small outfit, and the funding only goes so far.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;I think there is still some work to do in the younger categories, like under-23 and juniors, because it&#8217;s pretty hard to find a team that you can race international races with in that age,&#8221; R\u00fcegg said. &#8220;I think Nexetis do an amazing job with that team to help young riders making that step, but I think it&#8217;s also financially a big challenge to have such a team running and to build on it.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Of course, the impact of an event like the Tour de France Femmes coming to Switzerland, or the expansion of the Tour de Suisse, is hard to quantify in the immediate term. The same is true for the impact and legacy of the football Euros in Switzerland \u2013 the women&#8217;s national team is actually lower in the FIFA rankings right now than before the tournament, but the real impact will likely be some years down the line.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">In the short-term, though, Switzerland can count themselves as a growing force in women&#8217;s cycling. The contingent may be small in this year&#8217;s Tour, but both riders here are more than capable of winning a stage, one is a World Champion, and though there is work to be done on development pathways, there will be at least two new talented Swiss riders in the WorldTour peloton next year. And if the Tour in Switzerland has inspired young women in the way the riders hope, there should be more on the way.<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-11e82058-8fec-11f1-982e-9fb280acc970\" 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 Cyclingnews. In return, you get unlimited access to high-quality journalism, with breaking news, race analysis, and expert insight from inside the women&#8217;s peloton. Plus, the Cyclingnews app lets you follow the action wherever you go! <\/strong><u><strong>Join today.<\/strong><\/u><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"slice-container-authorBio-V2t8hmT2NubxJ3KYbpbhC5\" class=\"slice-container slice-author-bio authorBio-V2t8hmT2NubxJ3KYbpbhC5 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__heading\">\n<div class=\"author__name\">Matilda Price<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__role\">Assistant Features Editor<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__bio-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"author__biography\">\n<p>Matilda is an NCTJ-qualified journalist based in the UK who joined <em>Cyclingnews <\/em>in March 2025. Prior to that, she worked as the Racing News Editor at <em>GCN<\/em>, and extensively as a freelancer contributing to <em>Cyclingnews, Cycling Weekly, Velo, Rouleur, Escape Collective, Red Bull <\/em>and more. She has reported on the ground at all of the biggest events on the calendar, including the men&#8217;s and women&#8217;s Tours de France, the Giro d&#8217;Italia, the Vuelta a Espana, the Spring Classics and the World Championships. She has particular experience and expertise in women&#8217;s cycling, and women&#8217;s sport in general. She is a graduate of modern languages and sports journalism.<\/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\/ePxGEBDAcx43r8MiDvwGvn-840-80.png.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ePxGEBDAcx43r8MiDvwGvn-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ePxGEBDAcx43r8MiDvwGvn-500-80.png.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ePxGEBDAcx43r8MiDvwGvn-450-80.png.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ePxGEBDAcx43r8MiDvwGvn-320-80.png.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Five years in, this Tour de France Femmes looks like it will be the best edition yet<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/wVivTeF6EuqCfYFZpr28Nb-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/wVivTeF6EuqCfYFZpr28Nb-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/wVivTeF6EuqCfYFZpr28Nb-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/wVivTeF6EuqCfYFZpr28Nb-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/wVivTeF6EuqCfYFZpr28Nb-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Tour de France Femmes 2026<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/rh92PYzpUFcZqJj6HdxmCc-840-80.png.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/rh92PYzpUFcZqJj6HdxmCc-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/rh92PYzpUFcZqJj6HdxmCc-500-80.png.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/rh92PYzpUFcZqJj6HdxmCc-450-80.png.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/rh92PYzpUFcZqJj6HdxmCc-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\">Why a resurgent Marlen Reusser should be a real worry for Demi Vollering and Pauline Ferrand-Pr\u00e9vot at the Tour de France Femmes \u2013 Analysis<\/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\/jZ3mbHyKV2yXSgDK4xSf3f-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/jZ3mbHyKV2yXSgDK4xSf3f-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/jZ3mbHyKV2yXSgDK4xSf3f-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/jZ3mbHyKV2yXSgDK4xSf3f-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/jZ3mbHyKV2yXSgDK4xSf3f-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\">No superstar rider but SD Worx-Protime count on rising GC talent and home hopeful to take on expanded Tour de Suisse Women<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/iemamTjEsJtjARAiDGwUDD-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/iemamTjEsJtjARAiDGwUDD-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/iemamTjEsJtjARAiDGwUDD-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/iemamTjEsJtjARAiDGwUDD-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/iemamTjEsJtjARAiDGwUDD-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Wide open Tour de Suisse Women as Demi Vollering skips race to prepare for Tour de France Femmes &#8211; Analysing the contenders<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/jLwHZ9NxxJ6zr25e7LCu6g-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/jLwHZ9NxxJ6zr25e7LCu6g-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/jLwHZ9NxxJ6zr25e7LCu6g-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/jLwHZ9NxxJ6zr25e7LCu6g-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/jLwHZ9NxxJ6zr25e7LCu6g-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\">La Vuelta Femenina conclusions \u2013 A new generation shines, cycling&#8217;s new Swiss Army knife, and attacking pays off<\/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\/VbrsiULdcMqmPqoGGWyfGE-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/VbrsiULdcMqmPqoGGWyfGE-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/VbrsiULdcMqmPqoGGWyfGE-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/VbrsiULdcMqmPqoGGWyfGE-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/VbrsiULdcMqmPqoGGWyfGE-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;We don&#8217;t expect that Marlen will explode&#8217; \u2013 FDJ United-SUEZ focus on keeping up the pressure after Demi Vollering moves into second overall 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\/KzbWdhMzQzXnJuzUY76CK7-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/KzbWdhMzQzXnJuzUY76CK7-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/KzbWdhMzQzXnJuzUY76CK7-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/KzbWdhMzQzXnJuzUY76CK7-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/KzbWdhMzQzXnJuzUY76CK7-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;We need to change the plan&#8217; \u2013 Anna van der Breggen&#8217;s Tour de France Femmes GC hopes thwarted as usual strength exposes weakness<\/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\/FnrPiTxPi7MhH8v9XJnqub-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/FnrPiTxPi7MhH8v9XJnqub-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/FnrPiTxPi7MhH8v9XJnqub-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/FnrPiTxPi7MhH8v9XJnqub-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/FnrPiTxPi7MhH8v9XJnqub-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\">Pauline Ferrand-Pr\u00e9vot is nowhere near done, but don&#8217;t underestimate Marlen Reusser in yellow \u2013 Tour de France Femmes analysis<\/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\/DFXEHTypGqc3MYYtuBzdAV-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/DFXEHTypGqc3MYYtuBzdAV-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/DFXEHTypGqc3MYYtuBzdAV-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/DFXEHTypGqc3MYYtuBzdAV-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/DFXEHTypGqc3MYYtuBzdAV-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 was maxing out the gears&#8217; &#8211; Zoe B\u00e4ckstedt falls short trying for first Tour de France Femmes stage win<\/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\/qKuivWybwLWa63dqcD3mfC-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/qKuivWybwLWa63dqcD3mfC-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/qKuivWybwLWa63dqcD3mfC-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/qKuivWybwLWa63dqcD3mfC-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/qKuivWybwLWa63dqcD3mfC-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\">From &#8216;Project Dijon&#8217; to &#8216;Project Nice&#8217; \u2013\u00a0New Tour de France Femmes leader Marlen Reusser ready to defend yellow to the end following time trial triumph<\/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\/xSv3MTVWq7Tk9yzPm3y3Zk-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xSv3MTVWq7Tk9yzPm3y3Zk-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xSv3MTVWq7Tk9yzPm3y3Zk-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xSv3MTVWq7Tk9yzPm3y3Zk-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xSv3MTVWq7Tk9yzPm3y3Zk-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 quite like this scenario of having to go after them rather than being the favourite&#8217; \u2013 Pauline Ferrand-Pr\u00e9vot down but not out after Tour de France Femmes time trial<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside class=\"w-full\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-stacked\">\n<div data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-solr:latest-articletype\">\n<div class=\"text-white py-4 px-3 mb-4 bg-[#333] uppercase font-bold custom-header-styles\">Latest in Features<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid grid-cols-1 gap-4 mt-4 mb-5\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/FnrPiTxPi7MhH8v9XJnqub-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/FnrPiTxPi7MhH8v9XJnqub-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/FnrPiTxPi7MhH8v9XJnqub-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/FnrPiTxPi7MhH8v9XJnqub-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/FnrPiTxPi7MhH8v9XJnqub-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\">Pauline Ferrand-Pr\u00e9vot is nowhere near done, but don&#8217;t underestimate Marlen Reusser in yellow \u2013 Tour de France Femmes analysis<\/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\/3Q6iy5hEpuuPTZz5g4abS6-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3Q6iy5hEpuuPTZz5g4abS6-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3Q6iy5hEpuuPTZz5g4abS6-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3Q6iy5hEpuuPTZz5g4abS6-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3Q6iy5hEpuuPTZz5g4abS6-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Despite being 10 years younger than the &#8216;big kids&#8217;, multi-discipline U23 talent Kylee Hanel thriving in &#8216;long, grueling races of gravel&#8217; with Leadville looming<\/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\/giJmhtKs3iDDjcpqdNUPpV-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/giJmhtKs3iDDjcpqdNUPpV-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/giJmhtKs3iDDjcpqdNUPpV-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/giJmhtKs3iDDjcpqdNUPpV-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/giJmhtKs3iDDjcpqdNUPpV-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\">Pro Bikes<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Tour de France Femmes Tech Gallery: Lightweight parts, custom paint and a host of clever tech tricks<\/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\/2fmbtXZ2fEd6EkmEtQgkd3-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2fmbtXZ2fEd6EkmEtQgkd3-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2fmbtXZ2fEd6EkmEtQgkd3-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2fmbtXZ2fEd6EkmEtQgkd3-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2fmbtXZ2fEd6EkmEtQgkd3-320-80.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\">Unstoppable? The five biggest challenges that Tadej Poga\u010dar will face at this year&#8217;s 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\/ePxGEBDAcx43r8MiDvwGvn-840-80.png.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ePxGEBDAcx43r8MiDvwGvn-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ePxGEBDAcx43r8MiDvwGvn-500-80.png.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ePxGEBDAcx43r8MiDvwGvn-450-80.png.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ePxGEBDAcx43r8MiDvwGvn-320-80.png.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Five years in, this Tour de France Femmes looks like it will be the best edition yet<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QnpMiA23HXwhj3osep5Ur4-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QnpMiA23HXwhj3osep5Ur4-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QnpMiA23HXwhj3osep5Ur4-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QnpMiA23HXwhj3osep5Ur4-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QnpMiA23HXwhj3osep5Ur4-320-80.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\">Riders from Canada, Cuba, Mexico and USA among 13 North Americans in the 2026 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>\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\/QVW99NC3pKAyAXPikP8E4P-1280-80.jpg.webp 1280w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QVW99NC3pKAyAXPikP8E4P-720-80.jpg.webp 720w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QVW99NC3pKAyAXPikP8E4P-640-80.jpg.webp 640w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QVW99NC3pKAyAXPikP8E4P-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>Pauline Ferrand-Pr\u00e9vot is nowhere near done, but don&#8217;t underestimate Marlen Reusser in yellow \u2013 Tour de France Femmes analysis<\/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;We don&#8217;t expect that Marlen will explode&#8217; \u2013 FDJ United-SUEZ focus on keeping up the pressure after Demi Vollering moves into second overall at Tour de France Femmes<\/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 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Nice&#8217; \u2013\u00a0New Tour de France Femmes leader Marlen Reusser ready to defend yellow to the end following time trial triumph<\/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>A very Swiss start to the Tour de France Femmes, but what next for women&#8217;s cycling in Switzerland?<\/h1>\n<div class=\"byline-social\">\n<div class=\"vds-byline-block flex flex-row flex-nowrap my-1.5 gap-2 text-left items-start justify-start\" data-component-name=\"Article:BylineBlock\">\n<p>Features<\/p>\n<div class=\"my-auto vds-simple-byline\"><span class=\"inline-block vds-author\"><br \/>\nBy<br \/>\nMatilda Price <\/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=\"2026-08-04T11:11:25Z\" class=\"relative-date\"><br \/>\n4 August 2026<br \/>\n<\/time><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"strapline\">A lovely few days from Lausanne to Geneva, but only two Swiss riders on the start list and not many pathways to the WorldTour<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<aside 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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\/pXS2FwdCCZeSSHqSgQkBnJ-1920-80.jpg.webp 1920w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/pXS2FwdCCZeSSHqSgQkBnJ-1600-80.jpg.webp 1600w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/pXS2FwdCCZeSSHqSgQkBnJ-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/pXS2FwdCCZeSSHqSgQkBnJ-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/pXS2FwdCCZeSSHqSgQkBnJ-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/pXS2FwdCCZeSSHqSgQkBnJ-750-80.jpg.webp 750w, 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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-11e81ca2-8fec-11f1-92cc-fbccb1b9d555\">Tuesday marks the first full day in France for this year&#8217;s Tour de France Femmes, after a very Swiss start marked the race&#8217;s second-ever foreign Grand D\u00e9part in five editions.<\/p>\n<p>In many ways, the part of Switzerland we were in \u2013 Lausanne, Aigle and Geneva \u2013 doesn&#8217;t feel particularly different from France, as we&#8217;re only just over the border, but there was a distinct Swiss flavour to the first three stages.<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-11e81ca2-8fec-11f1-92cc-fbccb1b9d555-2\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Aside from the Swiss flags lining the roads, the opening stage took place on Swiss National Day, meaning the arrival of the Tour coincided with a festival of celebrations in Lausanne and fireworks in the evening. We paid for everything in CHF, a currency I only ever associate with UCI fines, we saw the United Nations, we did like the locals do and swam in Lake Geneva. A lot of the experience couldn&#8217;t have felt more Swiss.<\/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 reception of the race in Switzerland felt perhaps mixed, with lots of fans out in Lausanne and Aigle, cheering loudest for Marlen Reusser, and in Geneva the finish was fairly well attended, but for the start the next day, it felt like no one even knew there was a race on, the women&#8217;s Tour an afterthought to the city that does, admittedly, have bigger things like world peace to worry about.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Switzerland is a country that has put a lot into supporting women&#8217;s sports \u2013 the nation hosted the women&#8217;s European Championships in football last summer \u2013 and indeed women&#8217;s cycling, with two WorldTour races here in the Tour de Suisse and Tour de Romandie.<\/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\/ePxGEBDAcx43r8MiDvwGvn-250-80.png.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ePxGEBDAcx43r8MiDvwGvn-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\">Five years in, this Tour de France Femmes looks like it will be the best edition yet<\/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\/wVivTeF6EuqCfYFZpr28Nb-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/wVivTeF6EuqCfYFZpr28Nb-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">Tour de France Femmes 2026<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ccc] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-3\" id=\"recirculation-inline-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\/rh92PYzpUFcZqJj6HdxmCc-250-80.png.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/rh92PYzpUFcZqJj6HdxmCc-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\">Why a resurgent Marlen Reusser should be a real worry for Demi Vollering and Pauline Ferrand-Pr\u00e9vot at the Tour de France Femmes \u2013 Analysis<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">But what is going on beyond that? What state of health is women&#8217;s cycling in Switzerland in? Why host the Tour de France Femmes? Whilst we were here, I dug into some of those questions, speaking to the Swiss riders in the race and race director Marion Rousse to go a bit deeper into the Tour&#8217;s Swiss excursion.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"the-swiss-contingent-3\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The Swiss contingent<\/h2>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-3b9fca28-8ff5-11f1-8e38-1f75e9d60b5c\" 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\/XVNyVUZfoAbfFsHXiKbzaW-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/XVNyVUZfoAbfFsHXiKbzaW-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/XVNyVUZfoAbfFsHXiKbzaW-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/XVNyVUZfoAbfFsHXiKbzaW-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/XVNyVUZfoAbfFsHXiKbzaW-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/XVNyVUZfoAbfFsHXiKbzaW-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Marlen Reusser (Movistar) in the peloton during stage 1 of the ongoing Tour de France Femmes in Lausanne <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Thomas Maheux\/SWpix)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-11e81e3c-8fec-11f1-8079-9148d807a98a\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Within the peloton, there was perhaps the feeling that the Swiss contingent was not quite as big as it could have been, with only two Swiss riders, Marlen Reusser (Movistar) and Noemi R\u00fcegg (EF Education-Oatly), taking the start at home.<\/p>\n<div id=\"slice-container-newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-V2t8hmT2NubxJ3KYbpbhC5\" class=\"slice-container newsletter-inbodyContent-slice newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-V2t8hmT2NubxJ3KYbpbhC5 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\">There are six Swiss riders in the WorldTour, and one at ProTeam level, but factors like Elise Chabbey&#8217;s pregnancy and Petra Stiasny&#8217;s injury after her Vuelta Femenina stage win meant that there weren&#8217;t as many home riders on the start line as we may have hoped. Compare and contrast with the Rotterdam Grand D\u00e9part, when there were 32 Dutch riders in action in 2024.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">However, those riders that were here arguably had enough excitement and passion to make up for their lack of numbers.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The biggest star of the pre-race media day, Reusser couldn&#8217;t stop smiling the whole day, underlining repeatedly how special it was not just to be racing the Tour in Switzerland, but doing it in an edition where she was going for the overall win for the first time.<\/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\/jZ3mbHyKV2yXSgDK4xSf3f-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/jZ3mbHyKV2yXSgDK4xSf3f-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\">No superstar rider but SD Worx-Protime count on rising GC talent and home hopeful to take on expanded Tour de Suisse Women<\/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\/iemamTjEsJtjARAiDGwUDD-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/iemamTjEsJtjARAiDGwUDD-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">Wide open Tour de Suisse Women as Demi Vollering skips race to prepare for Tour de France Femmes &#8211; Analysing the contenders<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#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\/jLwHZ9NxxJ6zr25e7LCu6g-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/jLwHZ9NxxJ6zr25e7LCu6g-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\">La Vuelta Femenina conclusions \u2013 A new generation shines, cycling&#8217;s new Swiss Army knife, and attacking pays off<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;I really saw this coming since a long time, and actually my goal was to win the Swiss Championships and stand here with a nice cross. Things didn&#8217;t go as I wanted, but still, it&#8217;s super nice,&#8221; she beamed.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;I&#8217;ve already spent two days in Lausanne, and it feels like there&#8217;s so much excitement already. Everyone&#8217;s talking about us, you see bikes everywhere, people have knitted bikes, cycling is alive here.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;I have the feeling that Romandie is more excited about cycling than the rest of Switzerland right now, so I hope that this fever can spread to the rest of Switzerland.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">For Reusser&#8217;s compatriot Noemi R\u00fcegg, it was a race against time to get to the start in Switzerland. She fractured her humerus in a crash at the Vuelta Femenina in May, and the end of the expected 12-week recovery coincided exactly with the start of the Tour de France Femmes in Lausanne.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;It&#8217;s super special to have the start of the tour here in Switzerland,&#8221; R\u00fcegg said. &#8220;It&#8217;s been marked in my calendar for a while now. We have really big ambitions, but I think I just want to enjoy it as well, to have family and friends alongside the road, and yeah, enjoy the Swiss crowds.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Racing at home is hardly a novelty for Swiss riders, given they have the Tour de Romandie and Tour de Suisse every year, plus the World Championships in Zurich were less than two years ago, but the Tour de France Femmes, and all the fanfare and international attention that comes with it, is clearly on another level.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"why-switzerland-3\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Why Switzerland?<\/h2>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-3b9fcbae-8ff5-11f1-a5d0-f56bee5600fa\" 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\/Fy7WQpQnEhviLerrjuRYQ5-1200-80.png.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Fy7WQpQnEhviLerrjuRYQ5-1024-80.png.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Fy7WQpQnEhviLerrjuRYQ5-970-80.png.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Fy7WQpQnEhviLerrjuRYQ5-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Fy7WQpQnEhviLerrjuRYQ5-480-80.png.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Fy7WQpQnEhviLerrjuRYQ5-320-80.png.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Former Swiss champion R\u00fcegg in the peloton during the 2026 Tour de France Femmes <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-11e81f18-8fec-11f1-8b39-73ac1f7c9f79\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">When the Tour de France Femmes announced that its first foreign Grand D\u00e9part would be in the Netherlands, it felt like the obvious choice, given that perhaps no other nation has contributed so many great stars to the women&#8217;s peloton.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Whilst Switzerland doesn&#8217;t have quite the rich women&#8217;s cycling history of the Netherlands, it also made perfect sense as the place to hold the next Grand D\u00e9part on foreign soil. Its proximity to the French border and the Alps makes for straightforward logistics and no air transfers, it&#8217;s a common stop on the men&#8217;s WorldTour, and of course Aigle is the home of the UCI, who have been working to build the profile of women&#8217;s cycling for the past decade.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Marion Rousse explained a bit more about the decision to come to Switzerland when she spoke to the press pre-race.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;For me, starting in Switzerland is a wonderful story,&#8221; she said. &#8220;A foreign start means a lot to us. It shows that, as the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift, there is a desire in other countries to share the Tour&#8217;s prestige, which is what makes it the greatest race in the world and creates that special magic.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;A nice detail in this Swiss connection is that back in 2022, when Wout van Aert won at the top of the C\u00f4te de Saint-Fran\u00e7ois, where we\u2019ll be [on stage 1], the first edition of the women&#8217;s Tour de France was just days away. Switzerland had already put itself forward to host the women&#8217;s Grand D\u00e9part, without even knowing if it would work out. It really demonstrated their commitment to supporting women&#8217;s sports. That really appealed to us.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;Plus, the route connects Lausanne, the Olympic capital, with Aigle, the home of the UCI, and Geneva, the capital of diplomacy. It\u2019s a really coherent story that I feel reflects the values \u200b\u200bof our sport perfectly. And going from the Swiss Riviera to the French Riviera [in Nice], it all came together beautifully.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The second stage, starting from Aigle, saw female riders from the World Cycling Centre and the IOC Refugee Olympic Team welcomed to the race for a ceremonial ride before the race, a special moment celebrating the inclusivity and growth of the women&#8217;s sport, and another special aspect of starting here in Switzerland.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"women-s-cycling-beyond-the-worldtour-3\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Women&#8217;s cycling beyond the WorldTour<\/h2>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-3b9fcc44-8ff5-11f1-b6f3-17415c104dbb\" 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\/7zzuJFWT9X6eEMf8Xt83Yh-1200-80.png.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7zzuJFWT9X6eEMf8Xt83Yh-1024-80.png.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7zzuJFWT9X6eEMf8Xt83Yh-970-80.png.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7zzuJFWT9X6eEMf8Xt83Yh-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7zzuJFWT9X6eEMf8Xt83Yh-480-80.png.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7zzuJFWT9X6eEMf8Xt83Yh-320-80.png.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Reusser, Chabbey and Ruegg joined by rising talents Liechti and Caluori at the 2025 World Championships <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-11e81fea-8fec-11f1-bbd9-676c03ad907e\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">With two WorldTour races in Switzerland and now the Grand D\u00e9part, it would be easy to assume that women&#8217;s cycling in Switzerland is in rude health, but the story beyond the WorldTour is a little bit more complicated.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">It is true that the nation boasts some incredibly strong riders, both on the men&#8217;s and women&#8217;s side, and when it comes to World Championships and international events, the top riders do get good support from the Swiss federation. At the World Championships in Rwanda, they fielded five women in the elite road events, two in the U23 races, and two in the junior road race, coming away with a rainbow jersey for Reusser in the TT and third in the junior road race for Anja Grossman.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">But if you look a little further down the pyramid, things maybe don&#8217;t look as well-supported. Since the demise of the Roland Le D\u00e9voluy team, there are no Swiss-registered WorldTour or ProTeams \u2013 Swiss men&#8217;s outfits Pinarello-36.5 and Tudor both support female athletes off-road, but not in the road peloton \u2013 and there are just two Continental teams based in Switzerland, the UCI&#8217;s World Cycling Centre team (WCC) and Nexetis.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">As of 2026, there are no lower-level UCI races in Switzerland for women, only the two WorldTour races, which are officially not open to Continental teams or clubs, and the National Championships.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;I think it&#8217;s getting more and more popular. I think we&#8217;ve, yeah, made really big steps the past few years, thanks to the women&#8217;s Tour de Suisse and the Tour de Romandie, and now also with this with these two stages here, I think we can hopefully inspire a lot of young girls and boys to start cycling as well,&#8221; R\u00fcegg said about the state of women&#8217;s cycling in Switzerland.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;I think we still have a long way to go. If you see that also now we are only two Swiss women in the peloton [at the Tour], so I think we can improve that definitely. But we are already on a really good way compared to a few years ago.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The WCC team is ostensibly there to create a pathway for riders from around the world, mainly outside of western Europe and nations that have little to no professional cycling scene, but several Swiss riders have also turned to the team to get their start in cycling, including Reusser.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">R\u00fcegg, meanwhile, found her way through the Akros-Renfer development club, which also kickstarted the careers of Mauro Schmid, Stefan Bissegger and Yannis Voisard, but no longer exists<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The next generation seem to only have a few pathways into the WorldTour. Going via mountain biking is one avenue, as mountain biking is arguably even more popular than road racing in Switzerland, and that&#8217;s worked for riders like Steffi H\u00e4berlin.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Many talented riders are also coming up through the Nexetis squad. They have the super-talented Jasmin Liechti (who also started her career with WCC before joining Nexetis in 2025) signing for Canyon-SRAM for 2027, and Ginia Caluori is on her way to Movistar. They do a great job of finding Swiss talent and showing them to the European peloton, but they are only a small outfit, and the funding only goes so far.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;I think there is still some work to do in the younger categories, like under-23 and juniors, because it&#8217;s pretty hard to find a team that you can race international races with in that age,&#8221; R\u00fcegg said. &#8220;I think Nexetis do an amazing job with that team to help young riders making that step, but I think it&#8217;s also financially a big challenge to have such a team running and to build on it.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Of course, the impact of an event like the Tour de France Femmes coming to Switzerland, or the expansion of the Tour de Suisse, is hard to quantify in the immediate term. The same is true for the impact and legacy of the football Euros in Switzerland \u2013 the women&#8217;s national team is actually lower in the FIFA rankings right now than before the tournament, but the real impact will likely be some years down the line.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">In the short-term, though, Switzerland can count themselves as a growing force in women&#8217;s cycling. The contingent may be small in this year&#8217;s Tour, but both riders here are more than capable of winning a stage, one is a World Champion, and though there is work to be done on development pathways, there will be at least two new talented Swiss riders in the WorldTour peloton next year. And if the Tour in Switzerland has inspired young women in the way the riders hope, there should be more on the way.<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-11e82058-8fec-11f1-982e-9fb280acc970\" 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 Cyclingnews. In return, you get unlimited access to high-quality journalism, with breaking news, race analysis, and expert insight from inside the women&#8217;s peloton. Plus, the Cyclingnews app lets you follow the action wherever you go! <\/strong><u><strong>Join today.<\/strong><\/u><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"slice-container-authorBio-V2t8hmT2NubxJ3KYbpbhC5\" class=\"slice-container slice-author-bio authorBio-V2t8hmT2NubxJ3KYbpbhC5 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__heading\">\n<div class=\"author__name\">Matilda Price<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__role\">Assistant Features Editor<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__bio-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"author__biography\">\n<p>Matilda is an NCTJ-qualified journalist based in the UK who joined <em>Cyclingnews <\/em>in March 2025. Prior to that, she worked as the Racing News Editor at <em>GCN<\/em>, and extensively as a freelancer contributing to <em>Cyclingnews, Cycling Weekly, Velo, Rouleur, Escape Collective, Red Bull <\/em>and more. She has reported on the ground at all of the biggest events on the calendar, including the men&#8217;s and women&#8217;s Tours de France, the Giro d&#8217;Italia, the Vuelta a Espana, the Spring Classics and the World Championships. She has particular experience and expertise in women&#8217;s cycling, and women&#8217;s sport in general. She is a graduate of modern languages and sports journalism.<\/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\/ePxGEBDAcx43r8MiDvwGvn-840-80.png.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ePxGEBDAcx43r8MiDvwGvn-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ePxGEBDAcx43r8MiDvwGvn-500-80.png.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ePxGEBDAcx43r8MiDvwGvn-450-80.png.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ePxGEBDAcx43r8MiDvwGvn-320-80.png.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Five years in, this Tour de France Femmes looks like it will be the best edition yet<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/wVivTeF6EuqCfYFZpr28Nb-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/wVivTeF6EuqCfYFZpr28Nb-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/wVivTeF6EuqCfYFZpr28Nb-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/wVivTeF6EuqCfYFZpr28Nb-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/wVivTeF6EuqCfYFZpr28Nb-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Tour de France Femmes 2026<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/rh92PYzpUFcZqJj6HdxmCc-840-80.png.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/rh92PYzpUFcZqJj6HdxmCc-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/rh92PYzpUFcZqJj6HdxmCc-500-80.png.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/rh92PYzpUFcZqJj6HdxmCc-450-80.png.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/rh92PYzpUFcZqJj6HdxmCc-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\">Why a resurgent Marlen Reusser should be a real worry for Demi Vollering and Pauline Ferrand-Pr\u00e9vot at the Tour de France Femmes \u2013 Analysis<\/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\/jZ3mbHyKV2yXSgDK4xSf3f-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/jZ3mbHyKV2yXSgDK4xSf3f-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/jZ3mbHyKV2yXSgDK4xSf3f-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/jZ3mbHyKV2yXSgDK4xSf3f-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/jZ3mbHyKV2yXSgDK4xSf3f-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\">No superstar rider but SD Worx-Protime count on rising GC talent and home hopeful to take on expanded Tour de Suisse Women<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/iemamTjEsJtjARAiDGwUDD-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/iemamTjEsJtjARAiDGwUDD-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/iemamTjEsJtjARAiDGwUDD-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/iemamTjEsJtjARAiDGwUDD-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/iemamTjEsJtjARAiDGwUDD-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Wide open Tour de Suisse Women as Demi Vollering skips race to prepare for Tour de France Femmes &#8211; Analysing the contenders<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/jLwHZ9NxxJ6zr25e7LCu6g-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/jLwHZ9NxxJ6zr25e7LCu6g-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/jLwHZ9NxxJ6zr25e7LCu6g-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/jLwHZ9NxxJ6zr25e7LCu6g-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/jLwHZ9NxxJ6zr25e7LCu6g-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\">La Vuelta Femenina conclusions \u2013 A new generation shines, cycling&#8217;s new Swiss Army knife, and attacking pays off<\/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\/VbrsiULdcMqmPqoGGWyfGE-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/VbrsiULdcMqmPqoGGWyfGE-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/VbrsiULdcMqmPqoGGWyfGE-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/VbrsiULdcMqmPqoGGWyfGE-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/VbrsiULdcMqmPqoGGWyfGE-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;We don&#8217;t expect that Marlen will explode&#8217; \u2013 FDJ United-SUEZ focus on keeping up the pressure after Demi Vollering moves into second overall 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\/KzbWdhMzQzXnJuzUY76CK7-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/KzbWdhMzQzXnJuzUY76CK7-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/KzbWdhMzQzXnJuzUY76CK7-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/KzbWdhMzQzXnJuzUY76CK7-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/KzbWdhMzQzXnJuzUY76CK7-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;We need to change the plan&#8217; \u2013 Anna van der Breggen&#8217;s Tour de France Femmes GC hopes thwarted as usual strength exposes weakness<\/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\/FnrPiTxPi7MhH8v9XJnqub-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/FnrPiTxPi7MhH8v9XJnqub-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/FnrPiTxPi7MhH8v9XJnqub-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/FnrPiTxPi7MhH8v9XJnqub-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/FnrPiTxPi7MhH8v9XJnqub-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\">Pauline Ferrand-Pr\u00e9vot is nowhere near done, but don&#8217;t underestimate Marlen Reusser in yellow \u2013 Tour de France Femmes analysis<\/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\/DFXEHTypGqc3MYYtuBzdAV-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/DFXEHTypGqc3MYYtuBzdAV-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/DFXEHTypGqc3MYYtuBzdAV-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/DFXEHTypGqc3MYYtuBzdAV-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/DFXEHTypGqc3MYYtuBzdAV-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 was maxing out the gears&#8217; &#8211; Zoe B\u00e4ckstedt falls short trying for first Tour de France Femmes stage win<\/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\/qKuivWybwLWa63dqcD3mfC-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/qKuivWybwLWa63dqcD3mfC-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/qKuivWybwLWa63dqcD3mfC-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/qKuivWybwLWa63dqcD3mfC-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/qKuivWybwLWa63dqcD3mfC-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\">From &#8216;Project Dijon&#8217; to &#8216;Project Nice&#8217; \u2013\u00a0New Tour de France Femmes leader Marlen Reusser ready to defend yellow to the end following time trial triumph<\/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\/xSv3MTVWq7Tk9yzPm3y3Zk-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xSv3MTVWq7Tk9yzPm3y3Zk-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xSv3MTVWq7Tk9yzPm3y3Zk-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xSv3MTVWq7Tk9yzPm3y3Zk-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xSv3MTVWq7Tk9yzPm3y3Zk-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 quite like this scenario of having to go after them rather than being the favourite&#8217; \u2013 Pauline Ferrand-Pr\u00e9vot down but not out after Tour de France Femmes time trial<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside class=\"w-full\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-stacked\">\n<div data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-solr:latest-articletype\">\n<div class=\"text-white py-4 px-3 mb-4 bg-[#333] uppercase font-bold custom-header-styles\">Latest in Features<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid grid-cols-1 gap-4 mt-4 mb-5\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/FnrPiTxPi7MhH8v9XJnqub-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/FnrPiTxPi7MhH8v9XJnqub-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/FnrPiTxPi7MhH8v9XJnqub-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/FnrPiTxPi7MhH8v9XJnqub-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/FnrPiTxPi7MhH8v9XJnqub-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\">Pauline Ferrand-Pr\u00e9vot is nowhere near done, but don&#8217;t underestimate Marlen Reusser in yellow \u2013 Tour de France Femmes analysis<\/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\/3Q6iy5hEpuuPTZz5g4abS6-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3Q6iy5hEpuuPTZz5g4abS6-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3Q6iy5hEpuuPTZz5g4abS6-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3Q6iy5hEpuuPTZz5g4abS6-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3Q6iy5hEpuuPTZz5g4abS6-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Despite being 10 years younger than the &#8216;big kids&#8217;, multi-discipline U23 talent Kylee Hanel thriving in &#8216;long, grueling races of gravel&#8217; with Leadville looming<\/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\/giJmhtKs3iDDjcpqdNUPpV-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/giJmhtKs3iDDjcpqdNUPpV-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/giJmhtKs3iDDjcpqdNUPpV-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/giJmhtKs3iDDjcpqdNUPpV-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/giJmhtKs3iDDjcpqdNUPpV-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\">Pro Bikes<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Tour de France Femmes Tech Gallery: Lightweight parts, custom paint and a host of clever tech tricks<\/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\/2fmbtXZ2fEd6EkmEtQgkd3-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2fmbtXZ2fEd6EkmEtQgkd3-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2fmbtXZ2fEd6EkmEtQgkd3-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2fmbtXZ2fEd6EkmEtQgkd3-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2fmbtXZ2fEd6EkmEtQgkd3-320-80.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\">Unstoppable? The five biggest challenges that Tadej Poga\u010dar will face at this year&#8217;s 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\/ePxGEBDAcx43r8MiDvwGvn-840-80.png.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ePxGEBDAcx43r8MiDvwGvn-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ePxGEBDAcx43r8MiDvwGvn-500-80.png.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ePxGEBDAcx43r8MiDvwGvn-450-80.png.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ePxGEBDAcx43r8MiDvwGvn-320-80.png.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Five years in, this Tour de France Femmes looks like it will be the best edition yet<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QnpMiA23HXwhj3osep5Ur4-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QnpMiA23HXwhj3osep5Ur4-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QnpMiA23HXwhj3osep5Ur4-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QnpMiA23HXwhj3osep5Ur4-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QnpMiA23HXwhj3osep5Ur4-320-80.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\">Riders from Canada, Cuba, Mexico and USA among 13 North Americans in the 2026 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>\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\/QVW99NC3pKAyAXPikP8E4P-1280-80.jpg.webp 1280w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QVW99NC3pKAyAXPikP8E4P-720-80.jpg.webp 720w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QVW99NC3pKAyAXPikP8E4P-640-80.jpg.webp 640w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QVW99NC3pKAyAXPikP8E4P-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>Pauline Ferrand-Pr\u00e9vot is nowhere near done, but don&#8217;t underestimate Marlen Reusser in yellow \u2013 Tour de France Femmes analysis<\/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;We don&#8217;t expect that Marlen will explode&#8217; \u2013 FDJ United-SUEZ focus on keeping up the pressure after Demi Vollering moves into second overall at Tour de France Femmes<\/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>&#8216;We need to change the plan&#8217; \u2013 Anna van der Breggen&#8217;s Tour de France Femmes GC hopes thwarted as usual strength exposes weakness<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">4<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">\n<p>&#8216;I was maxing out the gears&#8217; &#8211; Zoe B\u00e4ckstedt falls short trying for first Tour de France Femmes stage win<\/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>From &#8216;Project Dijon&#8217; to &#8216;Project Nice&#8217; \u2013\u00a0New Tour de France Femmes leader Marlen Reusser ready to defend yellow to the end following time trial triumph<\/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>A very Swiss start to the Tour de France Femmes, but what next for women&#8217;s cycling in Switzerland?<\/h1>\n<div class=\"byline-social\">\n<div class=\"vds-byline-block flex flex-row flex-nowrap my-1.5 gap-2 text-left items-start justify-start\" data-component-name=\"Article:BylineBlock\">\n<p>Features<\/p>\n<div class=\"my-auto vds-simple-byline\"><span class=\"inline-block vds-author\"><br \/>\nBy<br \/>\nMatilda Price <\/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=\"2026-08-04T11:11:25Z\" class=\"relative-date\"><br \/>\n4 August 2026<br \/>\n<\/time><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"strapline\">A lovely few days from Lausanne to Geneva, but only two Swiss riders on the start list and not many pathways to the WorldTour<\/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-11e81ca2-8fec-11f1-92cc-fbccb1b9d555\">Tuesday marks the first full day in France for this year&#8217;s Tour de France Femmes, after a very Swiss start marked the race&#8217;s second-ever foreign Grand D\u00e9part in five editions.<\/p>\n<p>In many ways, the part of Switzerland we were in \u2013 Lausanne, Aigle and Geneva \u2013 doesn&#8217;t feel particularly different from France, as we&#8217;re only just over the border, but there was a distinct Swiss flavour to the first three stages.<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-11e81ca2-8fec-11f1-92cc-fbccb1b9d555-2\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Aside from the Swiss flags lining the roads, the opening stage took place on Swiss National Day, meaning the arrival of the Tour coincided with a festival of celebrations in Lausanne and fireworks in the evening. We paid for everything in CHF, a currency I only ever associate with UCI fines, we saw the United Nations, we did like the locals do and swam in Lake Geneva. A lot of the experience couldn&#8217;t have felt more Swiss.<\/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 reception of the race in Switzerland felt perhaps mixed, with lots of fans out in Lausanne and Aigle, cheering loudest for Marlen Reusser, and in Geneva the finish was fairly well attended, but for the start the next day, it felt like no one even knew there was a race on, the women&#8217;s Tour an afterthought to the city that does, admittedly, have bigger things like world peace to worry about.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Switzerland is a country that has put a lot into supporting women&#8217;s sports \u2013 the nation hosted the women&#8217;s European Championships in football last summer \u2013 and indeed women&#8217;s cycling, with two WorldTour races here in the Tour de Suisse and Tour de Romandie.<\/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\/ePxGEBDAcx43r8MiDvwGvn-250-80.png.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ePxGEBDAcx43r8MiDvwGvn-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\">Five years in, this Tour de France Femmes looks like it will be the best edition yet<\/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\/wVivTeF6EuqCfYFZpr28Nb-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/wVivTeF6EuqCfYFZpr28Nb-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">Tour de France Femmes 2026<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ccc] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-3\" id=\"recirculation-inline-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\/rh92PYzpUFcZqJj6HdxmCc-250-80.png.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/rh92PYzpUFcZqJj6HdxmCc-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\">Why a resurgent Marlen Reusser should be a real worry for Demi Vollering and Pauline Ferrand-Pr\u00e9vot at the Tour de France Femmes \u2013 Analysis<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">But what is going on beyond that? What state of health is women&#8217;s cycling in Switzerland in? Why host the Tour de France Femmes? Whilst we were here, I dug into some of those questions, speaking to the Swiss riders in the race and race director Marion Rousse to go a bit deeper into the Tour&#8217;s Swiss excursion.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"the-swiss-contingent-3\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The Swiss contingent<\/h2>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-3b9fca28-8ff5-11f1-8e38-1f75e9d60b5c\" 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\/XVNyVUZfoAbfFsHXiKbzaW-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/XVNyVUZfoAbfFsHXiKbzaW-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/XVNyVUZfoAbfFsHXiKbzaW-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/XVNyVUZfoAbfFsHXiKbzaW-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/XVNyVUZfoAbfFsHXiKbzaW-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/XVNyVUZfoAbfFsHXiKbzaW-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Marlen Reusser (Movistar) in the peloton during stage 1 of the ongoing Tour de France Femmes in Lausanne <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Thomas Maheux\/SWpix)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-11e81e3c-8fec-11f1-8079-9148d807a98a\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Within the peloton, there was perhaps the feeling that the Swiss contingent was not quite as big as it could have been, with only two Swiss riders, Marlen Reusser (Movistar) and Noemi R\u00fcegg (EF Education-Oatly), taking the start at home.<\/p>\n<div id=\"slice-container-newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-V2t8hmT2NubxJ3KYbpbhC5\" class=\"slice-container newsletter-inbodyContent-slice newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-V2t8hmT2NubxJ3KYbpbhC5 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\">There are six Swiss riders in the WorldTour, and one at ProTeam level, but factors like Elise Chabbey&#8217;s pregnancy and Petra Stiasny&#8217;s injury after her Vuelta Femenina stage win meant that there weren&#8217;t as many home riders on the start line as we may have hoped. Compare and contrast with the Rotterdam Grand D\u00e9part, when there were 32 Dutch riders in action in 2024.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">However, those riders that were here arguably had enough excitement and passion to make up for their lack of numbers.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The biggest star of the pre-race media day, Reusser couldn&#8217;t stop smiling the whole day, underlining repeatedly how special it was not just to be racing the Tour in Switzerland, but doing it in an edition where she was going for the overall win for the first time.<\/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\/jZ3mbHyKV2yXSgDK4xSf3f-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/jZ3mbHyKV2yXSgDK4xSf3f-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\">No superstar rider but SD Worx-Protime count on rising GC talent and home hopeful to take on expanded Tour de Suisse Women<\/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\/iemamTjEsJtjARAiDGwUDD-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/iemamTjEsJtjARAiDGwUDD-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">Wide open Tour de Suisse Women as Demi Vollering skips race to prepare for Tour de France Femmes &#8211; Analysing the contenders<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#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\/jLwHZ9NxxJ6zr25e7LCu6g-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/jLwHZ9NxxJ6zr25e7LCu6g-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\">La Vuelta Femenina conclusions \u2013 A new generation shines, cycling&#8217;s new Swiss Army knife, and attacking pays off<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;I really saw this coming since a long time, and actually my goal was to win the Swiss Championships and stand here with a nice cross. Things didn&#8217;t go as I wanted, but still, it&#8217;s super nice,&#8221; she beamed.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;I&#8217;ve already spent two days in Lausanne, and it feels like there&#8217;s so much excitement already. Everyone&#8217;s talking about us, you see bikes everywhere, people have knitted bikes, cycling is alive here.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;I have the feeling that Romandie is more excited about cycling than the rest of Switzerland right now, so I hope that this fever can spread to the rest of Switzerland.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">For Reusser&#8217;s compatriot Noemi R\u00fcegg, it was a race against time to get to the start in Switzerland. She fractured her humerus in a crash at the Vuelta Femenina in May, and the end of the expected 12-week recovery coincided exactly with the start of the Tour de France Femmes in Lausanne.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;It&#8217;s super special to have the start of the tour here in Switzerland,&#8221; R\u00fcegg said. &#8220;It&#8217;s been marked in my calendar for a while now. We have really big ambitions, but I think I just want to enjoy it as well, to have family and friends alongside the road, and yeah, enjoy the Swiss crowds.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Racing at home is hardly a novelty for Swiss riders, given they have the Tour de Romandie and Tour de Suisse every year, plus the World Championships in Zurich were less than two years ago, but the Tour de France Femmes, and all the fanfare and international attention that comes with it, is clearly on another level.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"why-switzerland-3\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Why Switzerland?<\/h2>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-3b9fcbae-8ff5-11f1-a5d0-f56bee5600fa\" 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\/Fy7WQpQnEhviLerrjuRYQ5-1200-80.png.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Fy7WQpQnEhviLerrjuRYQ5-1024-80.png.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Fy7WQpQnEhviLerrjuRYQ5-970-80.png.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Fy7WQpQnEhviLerrjuRYQ5-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Fy7WQpQnEhviLerrjuRYQ5-480-80.png.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Fy7WQpQnEhviLerrjuRYQ5-320-80.png.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Former Swiss champion R\u00fcegg in the peloton during the 2026 Tour de France Femmes <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-11e81f18-8fec-11f1-8b39-73ac1f7c9f79\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">When the Tour de France Femmes announced that its first foreign Grand D\u00e9part would be in the Netherlands, it felt like the obvious choice, given that perhaps no other nation has contributed so many great stars to the women&#8217;s peloton.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Whilst Switzerland doesn&#8217;t have quite the rich women&#8217;s cycling history of the Netherlands, it also made perfect sense as the place to hold the next Grand D\u00e9part on foreign soil. Its proximity to the French border and the Alps makes for straightforward logistics and no air transfers, it&#8217;s a common stop on the men&#8217;s WorldTour, and of course Aigle is the home of the UCI, who have been working to build the profile of women&#8217;s cycling for the past decade.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Marion Rousse explained a bit more about the decision to come to Switzerland when she spoke to the press pre-race.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;For me, starting in Switzerland is a wonderful story,&#8221; she said. &#8220;A foreign start means a lot to us. It shows that, as the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift, there is a desire in other countries to share the Tour&#8217;s prestige, which is what makes it the greatest race in the world and creates that special magic.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;A nice detail in this Swiss connection is that back in 2022, when Wout van Aert won at the top of the C\u00f4te de Saint-Fran\u00e7ois, where we\u2019ll be [on stage 1], the first edition of the women&#8217;s Tour de France was just days away. Switzerland had already put itself forward to host the women&#8217;s Grand D\u00e9part, without even knowing if it would work out. It really demonstrated their commitment to supporting women&#8217;s sports. That really appealed to us.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;Plus, the route connects Lausanne, the Olympic capital, with Aigle, the home of the UCI, and Geneva, the capital of diplomacy. It\u2019s a really coherent story that I feel reflects the values \u200b\u200bof our sport perfectly. And going from the Swiss Riviera to the French Riviera [in Nice], it all came together beautifully.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The second stage, starting from Aigle, saw female riders from the World Cycling Centre and the IOC Refugee Olympic Team welcomed to the race for a ceremonial ride before the race, a special moment celebrating the inclusivity and growth of the women&#8217;s sport, and another special aspect of starting here in Switzerland.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"women-s-cycling-beyond-the-worldtour-3\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Women&#8217;s cycling beyond the WorldTour<\/h2>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-3b9fcc44-8ff5-11f1-b6f3-17415c104dbb\" 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\/7zzuJFWT9X6eEMf8Xt83Yh-1200-80.png.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7zzuJFWT9X6eEMf8Xt83Yh-1024-80.png.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7zzuJFWT9X6eEMf8Xt83Yh-970-80.png.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7zzuJFWT9X6eEMf8Xt83Yh-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7zzuJFWT9X6eEMf8Xt83Yh-480-80.png.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7zzuJFWT9X6eEMf8Xt83Yh-320-80.png.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Reusser, Chabbey and Ruegg joined by rising talents Liechti and Caluori at the 2025 World Championships <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-11e81fea-8fec-11f1-bbd9-676c03ad907e\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">With two WorldTour races in Switzerland and now the Grand D\u00e9part, it would be easy to assume that women&#8217;s cycling in Switzerland is in rude health, but the story beyond the WorldTour is a little bit more complicated.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">It is true that the nation boasts some incredibly strong riders, both on the men&#8217;s and women&#8217;s side, and when it comes to World Championships and international events, the top riders do get good support from the Swiss federation. At the World Championships in Rwanda, they fielded five women in the elite road events, two in the U23 races, and two in the junior road race, coming away with a rainbow jersey for Reusser in the TT and third in the junior road race for Anja Grossman.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">But if you look a little further down the pyramid, things maybe don&#8217;t look as well-supported. Since the demise of the Roland Le D\u00e9voluy team, there are no Swiss-registered WorldTour or ProTeams \u2013 Swiss men&#8217;s outfits Pinarello-36.5 and Tudor both support female athletes off-road, but not in the road peloton \u2013 and there are just two Continental teams based in Switzerland, the UCI&#8217;s World Cycling Centre team (WCC) and Nexetis.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">As of 2026, there are no lower-level UCI races in Switzerland for women, only the two WorldTour races, which are officially not open to Continental teams or clubs, and the National Championships.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;I think it&#8217;s getting more and more popular. I think we&#8217;ve, yeah, made really big steps the past few years, thanks to the women&#8217;s Tour de Suisse and the Tour de Romandie, and now also with this with these two stages here, I think we can hopefully inspire a lot of young girls and boys to start cycling as well,&#8221; R\u00fcegg said about the state of women&#8217;s cycling in Switzerland.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;I think we still have a long way to go. If you see that also now we are only two Swiss women in the peloton [at the Tour], so I think we can improve that definitely. But we are already on a really good way compared to a few years ago.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The WCC team is ostensibly there to create a pathway for riders from around the world, mainly outside of western Europe and nations that have little to no professional cycling scene, but several Swiss riders have also turned to the team to get their start in cycling, including Reusser.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">R\u00fcegg, meanwhile, found her way through the Akros-Renfer development club, which also kickstarted the careers of Mauro Schmid, Stefan Bissegger and Yannis Voisard, but no longer exists<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The next generation seem to only have a few pathways into the WorldTour. Going via mountain biking is one avenue, as mountain biking is arguably even more popular than road racing in Switzerland, and that&#8217;s worked for riders like Steffi H\u00e4berlin.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Many talented riders are also coming up through the Nexetis squad. They have the super-talented Jasmin Liechti (who also started her career with WCC before joining Nexetis in 2025) signing for Canyon-SRAM for 2027, and Ginia Caluori is on her way to Movistar. They do a great job of finding Swiss talent and showing them to the European peloton, but they are only a small outfit, and the funding only goes so far.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;I think there is still some work to do in the younger categories, like under-23 and juniors, because it&#8217;s pretty hard to find a team that you can race international races with in that age,&#8221; R\u00fcegg said. &#8220;I think Nexetis do an amazing job with that team to help young riders making that step, but I think it&#8217;s also financially a big challenge to have such a team running and to build on it.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Of course, the impact of an event like the Tour de France Femmes coming to Switzerland, or the expansion of the Tour de Suisse, is hard to quantify in the immediate term. The same is true for the impact and legacy of the football Euros in Switzerland \u2013 the women&#8217;s national team is actually lower in the FIFA rankings right now than before the tournament, but the real impact will likely be some years down the line.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">In the short-term, though, Switzerland can count themselves as a growing force in women&#8217;s cycling. The contingent may be small in this year&#8217;s Tour, but both riders here are more than capable of winning a stage, one is a World Champion, and though there is work to be done on development pathways, there will be at least two new talented Swiss riders in the WorldTour peloton next year. And if the Tour in Switzerland has inspired young women in the way the riders hope, there should be more on the way.<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-11e82058-8fec-11f1-982e-9fb280acc970\" 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 Cyclingnews. In return, you get unlimited access to high-quality journalism, with breaking news, race analysis, and expert insight from inside the women&#8217;s peloton. Plus, the Cyclingnews app lets you follow the action wherever you go! <\/strong><u><strong>Join today.<\/strong><\/u><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>[analyse_source url=&#8221;https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/pro-cycling\/womens-cycling\/a-very-swiss-start-to-the-tour-de-france-femmes-but-what-next-for-womens-cycling-in-switzerland\/&#8221;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/pXS2FwdCCZeSSHqSgQkBnJ-2560-80.jpg&#8221;] 1 As it happened: Tour de France Femmes stage 4 time trial sparks big time gaps and creates a new GC battle 2 Tour de France Femmes stage 3 LIVE: An 85km solo attack is rewarded with the stage victory and the leader&#8217;s yellow jersey 3 As it happened: The GC riders [&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-2078265","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\/2078265","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=2078265"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2078265\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2078265"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2078265"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2078265"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}