{"id":2085871,"date":"2026-08-09T13:30:26","date_gmt":"2026-08-09T10:30:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2085871"},"modified":"2026-08-09T13:30:26","modified_gmt":"2026-08-09T10:30:26","slug":"cycling-is-a-tactical-game-that-takes-superhuman-power-brodie-chapmans-tour-de-france-femmes-column","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2085871","title":{"rendered":"Cycling is a tactical game that takes superhuman power \u2013 Brodie Chapman&#8217;s Tour de France Femmes column"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/gnK4nHJ4D4SqDEjxhfNGQh-2560-80.jpg&#8221;]<\/p>\n<p><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>Cycling is a tactical game that takes superhuman power \u2013 Brodie Chapman&#8217;s Tour de France Femmes column<\/h1>\n<div class=\"kiosq-member-label\" data-component-name=\"Article:Hero:KiosqPaywallLabels\"><span class=\"kiosq-member-label-text\"><br \/>\nMEMBER EXCLUSIVE<br \/>\n<\/span><\/div>\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-center mx-auto max-sm:text-center max-sm:items-center\" 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 \/>\nBrodie Chapman <\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"flex gap-1 vds-byline-with-avatar__meta max-sm:justify-center\"><span class=\"vds-date block font-normal tracking-normal normal-case text-xs\"><br \/>\nPublished<br \/>\n<time data-component-name=\"UI:DateTime\" datetime=\"2026-08-09T13:30:26Z\" class=\"relative-date\"><br \/>\n9 August 2026<br \/>\n<\/time><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"strapline\">Riding the waves of envy, anticipation and teamwork speculation from the couch instead of the peloton <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<aside class=\"text-gray-700 flex items-center mx-0 my-5 p-0 justify-center text-center\" 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\/gnK4nHJ4D4SqDEjxhfNGQh-2560-80.jpg.webp 2560w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/gnK4nHJ4D4SqDEjxhfNGQh-1920-80.jpg.webp 1920w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/gnK4nHJ4D4SqDEjxhfNGQh-1600-80.jpg.webp 1600w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/gnK4nHJ4D4SqDEjxhfNGQh-1440-80.jpg.webp 1440w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/gnK4nHJ4D4SqDEjxhfNGQh-1280-80.jpg.webp 1280w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/gnK4nHJ4D4SqDEjxhfNGQh-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/gnK4nHJ4D4SqDEjxhfNGQh-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/gnK4nHJ4D4SqDEjxhfNGQh-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/gnK4nHJ4D4SqDEjxhfNGQh-750-80.jpg.webp 750w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/gnK4nHJ4D4SqDEjxhfNGQh-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/gnK4nHJ4D4SqDEjxhfNGQh-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/gnK4nHJ4D4SqDEjxhfNGQh-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"100vw\" \/><figcaption class=\"font-article-copy text-(--image--text--color) font-article-copy mt-2\"><span class=\"caption-text font-article-copy\">Writing exclusively for Cyclingnews, Brodie Chapman will be sharing her thoughts on the Tour de France Femmes<\/span><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\" 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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\">2<\/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-51f3d2aa-932f-11f1-8d8b-ebfd6abd7a23\"><em><strong>Australian pro Brodie Chapman rides for UAE Team L&#8217;IMAD and had built up to race the<\/strong><\/em><u><em><strong>Tour de France Femmes<\/strong><\/em><\/u><em><strong> for a second time. Unfortunately it was an edition that ended early for her, with a DNS on stage 2 as illness intervened. It hadn&#8217;t been the easiest of runs to make it there in the first place either, as she went down hard in the Tour of Flanders in April, fracturing her pelvis and facing a tough recovery to get back for the Tour, which Chapman detailed in her<\/strong><\/em><u><em><strong>pre-race column.<\/strong><\/em><\/u><\/p>\n<p><em><strong>In her second of three columns, Chapman joins us while recuperating, rather than racing, to cast light on the pivotal stages. She takes us inside some of the plans and mindsets behind the unfolding action and also delivers some home truths about the simmering speculation on the dynamics within her own team.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-51f3d2aa-932f-11f1-8d8b-ebfd6abd7a23-2\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">I was sitting on my couch watching one of the greatest-ever cycling performances unfold before my eyes. Between pangs of envy for those riders experiencing the familiar slopes of Mont Ventoux first-hand, I was also brimming with joy and anticipation for what would follow. Friend and fan favourite Kasia Niewiadoma-Phinney left no room for doubt as she flawlessly executed her ascent toward the stage win and yellow jersey. Teammate and good friend Elisa Longo-Borghini managed her own race to perfection, closing in to take third on the stage in the last few hundred meters thanks to measured teamwork with Paula Blasi.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Besides the time trial, an individual event that shook up the GC, Mont Ventoux was undoubtedly a stage that was always going to be an important battle. It was the stage that lingered amongst the minds of the riders, those trying to win it, and those trying to survive it. I had discussed this stage in length with riders on my team, with people outside the peloton and in depth with Kasia.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">As mentioned in my previous column, entirely on the initiative of Kasia, a handful of us made a trip to Ventoux over a few days to learn the climb and understand its hefty list of demands. We did two ascents on the first day, and on the second day we did another ascent (much to my surprise). Kasia was feeling out the climb in real time. The heat was one thing, the steep corners another and the windy exposed sections something that could be volatile. What we couldn\u2019t know was how the riders themselves would approach the climb. We had to speculate.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Personally, I had felt that based on my experience on these climbs, the peloton would approach the climb with an absolutely all-out furious pace, leaving only a handful of favourites isolated from the first left-hand corner onwards. A few teams were left with a slight numerical advantage but, with such a trying gradient ahead, it would come down to who applied their strengths in the right moment, who really had the legs and heart to get to the top first. Despite what appeared to be a gamble between Demi Vollering and Marlen Reusser, on a climb this long, I believe if you could win this race, you would.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure full-width-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-169f90de-93c2-11f1-b631-593b80861d70\" 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\/fZgDdK35qHVb7xnYN6H3FS-2560-80.jpg.webp 2560w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/fZgDdK35qHVb7xnYN6H3FS-1920-80.jpg.webp 1920w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/fZgDdK35qHVb7xnYN6H3FS-1440-80.jpg.webp 1440w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/fZgDdK35qHVb7xnYN6H3FS-1280-80.jpg.webp 1280w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/fZgDdK35qHVb7xnYN6H3FS-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/fZgDdK35qHVb7xnYN6H3FS-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/fZgDdK35qHVb7xnYN6H3FS-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/fZgDdK35qHVb7xnYN6H3FS-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/fZgDdK35qHVb7xnYN6H3FS-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/fZgDdK35qHVb7xnYN6H3FS-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"100vw\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" full-width-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Kasia Niewiadoma on the charge on Mont Ventoux <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-a370b17c-93c3-11f1-a626-b7c511d4d01f\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Demi and Marlen are two of the best in the world. Cycling is a game, a tactical game that takes superhuman power to execute the right moves and a mixture of planning and instinct to know when to move. Kasia was simply better that day. Her heart was deeply embedded in this climb and she increased her lead with each stroke of the pedal; no amount of hesitation behind allows a gap this big to form accidentally. Kasia was in a flow state, she knew exactly where to go and when.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Behind the yellow jersey and previous winner Demi, another race was quietly unfolding. My teammates, two-time Giro d&#8217;Italia winner Elisa Longo Borghini and Vuelta Feminina winner Paula Blasi, were managing their own race. They didn\u2019t even try to respond to Demi&#8217;s first attack because they had a plan. The plan \u2013 conjured up by the performance team at UAE Team L&#8217;IMAD \u2013 had both riders following a pacing strategy. Strong and steady, Paula and Elisa didn&#8217;t flinch when the attacks kicked off. Instead, they continued to ride just shy of their limit for 11km.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">They didn&#8217;t waste any energy on the lower slopes trying to respond. Their response would be collective and calculated. As the trees faded into the background, Paula and Elisa slowly reeled in the pursuers. According to Elisa, Paula&#8217;s final pull as they approached the closing kilometres was paramount in launching Elisa into action to narrowly grasp third on the stage. She used that big acceleration at the perfect moment. Paula Blasi, in her maiden Tour de France Femmes, finished in fifth on the stage. Polish national champion Dominika Wlodarczyk rode into a commendable eighth, keeping the team high up in the GC and affirming that Polish cycling is in a very good place.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure full-width-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-cd1c7492-93ba-11f1-acce-df801eb7b414\" 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\/aHMwPTXsCuomh7v2pNqgHZ-2560-80.jpg.webp 2560w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/aHMwPTXsCuomh7v2pNqgHZ-1920-80.jpg.webp 1920w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/aHMwPTXsCuomh7v2pNqgHZ-1440-80.jpg.webp 1440w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/aHMwPTXsCuomh7v2pNqgHZ-1280-80.jpg.webp 1280w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/aHMwPTXsCuomh7v2pNqgHZ-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/aHMwPTXsCuomh7v2pNqgHZ-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/aHMwPTXsCuomh7v2pNqgHZ-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/aHMwPTXsCuomh7v2pNqgHZ-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/aHMwPTXsCuomh7v2pNqgHZ-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/aHMwPTXsCuomh7v2pNqgHZ-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"100vw\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" full-width-layout\"><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-a370b26c-93c3-11f1-8f54-add812ee4cf0\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">I hope this puts an end to the speculation around teamwork on UAE Team L&#8217;IMAD. Journalists also forget that riders eat together for every meal, for two weeks. We sit around the dinner table after the meal is done, laughing, discussing, and speculating. We sleep within centimetres of each other in pokey hotel rooms, share long transfers and hours at training camps together. To think there is room for scathing tension is ignorant.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">I also want to mention the teams behind the wins, the ones who get the riders to this point. I sometimes squirm when I hear commentators question the absence of a particular rider, that they expected more from them \u2026. They don&#8217;t see the work it entails and the energy these riders spend in order to spare their leaders. You come to a race with clear roles, even if on a good day you could gamble in a breakaway or win from a small group. If we all just raced to our hearts&#8217; desire you wouldn\u2019t see successful teamwork, where each ion of energy is purposeful and precious.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">From kilometre one the domestiques are taking wind, going back to the very back of the peloton, dropping into the convoy, riding back through the fast, hectic peloton carrying a bag full of bidons and ice, with bidons in their jersey and carrying up to six kilograms or more.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">hey position the team through the towns and the technical sections, to keep them safe and stay away from the back of the peloton where crashes are more likely to happen. They maintain a relentless pace heading into climbs like Ventoux, and then still have to ride up it themselves, very often after doing a maximal effort. If you have worked all day, the team also encourages you to take it easy after your job is done, in order to preserve energy to do it all again the next day.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure full-width-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-70dadf8e-93c4-11f1-8381-8512809e973d\" 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\/uermQB47kQs87cA43c2dFG-2560-80.jpg.webp 2560w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/uermQB47kQs87cA43c2dFG-1920-80.jpg.webp 1920w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/uermQB47kQs87cA43c2dFG-1440-80.jpg.webp 1440w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/uermQB47kQs87cA43c2dFG-1280-80.jpg.webp 1280w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/uermQB47kQs87cA43c2dFG-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/uermQB47kQs87cA43c2dFG-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/uermQB47kQs87cA43c2dFG-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/uermQB47kQs87cA43c2dFG-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/uermQB47kQs87cA43c2dFG-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/uermQB47kQs87cA43c2dFG-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"100vw\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" full-width-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Domestiques, such as Silvia Persico (UAE Team I&#8217;MAD) lined up along the front early on the Mont Ventoux stage <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-ccf247fe-93c3-11f1-9b8f-434debe3137c\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">As the race situation changes throughout the stages, those roles can definitely change too. While I wrote this, I was watching Canyon-SRAM&#8217;s Zoe B\u00e4ckstedt take Kasia first wheel into a cat. 4 climb ahead of a finish line that, on another day, also suited her characteristics. Silvia P\u00e9rsico has taken on the tasks of two riders in my absence, along with Mavi Garcia, who herself won a stage last year. It pains me that I feel the need to explain this, but unfortunately sometimes I still get questioned over whether women&#8217;s cycling has domestiques. I guess those people don&#8217;t really watch women\u2019s cycling.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The other thing to mention is that working for the team also doesn\u2019t always mean taking wind and collecting bidons. Working for the team can also mean being a part of the overall strategy, using a rider&#8217;s specific strengths to play the game, make the race hard or go deep into a final alongside the leaders.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The next day of racing will see the GC battle continue, with a strong bid for bonus seconds is my guess. For every single rider getting to Nice in one piece will be an achievement in itself. Some will have expected more than they got and others will leave satisfied or surprised. As athletes, we do not dwell long on the disappointments or the setbacks because otherwise it would consume us and take us out of the present \u2013 a present that is always demanding more work, better rest and adjusted goal setting.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"block mb-5\" id=\"articleTag\" data-component-name=\"PostArticleLinks\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"post-article-links\">\n<div class=\"border-b border-b-black border-solid py-2.5 text-black font-bold uppercase\">TOPICS<\/div>\n<nav class=\"py-2.5 flex gap-2.5 flex-wrap\" data-analytics-id=\"article-tag\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-tag\">\n<p>Premium Columns<\/p>\n<p>Premium In-Depth Racing<\/p>\n<\/nav>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"slice-container-authorBio-yRNeYgWA7s9cmQNeThtAbG\" class=\"slice-container slice-author-bio authorBio-yRNeYgWA7s9cmQNeThtAbG slice-container-authorBio\">\n<div class=\"author author__default-layout author--separator author--collapsible\" data-hydrate=\"true\">\n<div class=\"author__header\">\n<div class=\"author__avatar-block\">\n<figure class=\"image-wrapped__wrapper\" data-bordeaux-image-check=\"false\">\n<div class=\"image-wrapped__widthsetter\">\n<div class=\"image-wrapped__aspect-padding\">\n<div><source class=\"author__avatar image-wrapped__image image__image\" type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/d9NGn3Mcr8ZdYe6W4SbaV8-140-80.jpg.webp 140w\" sizes=\"99vw\" data-normal=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/d9NGn3Mcr8ZdYe6W4SbaV8.jpg\" data-original-mos=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/d9NGn3Mcr8ZdYe6W4SbaV8.jpg\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/d9NGn3Mcr8ZdYe6W4SbaV8.jpg\" data-pin-nopin=\"true\" data-slice-image=\"true\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__heading\">\n<div class=\"author__name\">Brodie Chapman<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__role\">Professional road cyclist for UAE Team L&#8217;IMAD<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__bio-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"author__biography\">\n<p>Brodie Chapman is an Australian professional road cyclist, currently riding for Women&#8217;s World Tour team, UAE Team L&#8217;IMAD. Chapman is an experienced and well-respected figure in the women&#8217;s peloton, and former Australian national road and time trial champion.<\/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<\/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\/nDyVaKisUHk4n5RxCDmYD9-1280-80.jpg.webp 1280w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/nDyVaKisUHk4n5RxCDmYD9-720-80.jpg.webp 720w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/nDyVaKisUHk4n5RxCDmYD9-640-80.jpg.webp 640w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/nDyVaKisUHk4n5RxCDmYD9-320-80.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>&#8216;You never should think you&#8217;re there&#8217; \u2013 Demi Vollering at her best and still improving after second Tour de France Femmes victory<\/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;The road was always going to do the talking&#8217; \u2013 How UAE Team L&#8217;IMAD blocked out the noise to deliver Elisa Longo Borghini to Tour de France Femmes podium<\/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;I felt stronger than in any other editions&#8217; \u2013 Why Kasia Niewiadoma-Phinney can celebrate second at the Tour de France Femmes as much as her 2024 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\">4<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">\n<p>Volta a Portugal: Double success for Alexis Guerin who takes over race lead after stage 4<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">5<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">\n<p>&#8216;We can only lose it if we had it first&#8217; \u2013 Tour de France Femmes ends in tears for Marlen Reusser as she crashes off of podium<\/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>Cycling is a tactical game that takes superhuman power \u2013 Brodie Chapman&#8217;s Tour de France Femmes column<\/h1>\n<div class=\"kiosq-member-label\" data-component-name=\"Article:Hero:KiosqPaywallLabels\"><span class=\"kiosq-member-label-text\"><br \/>\nMEMBER EXCLUSIVE<br \/>\n<\/span><\/div>\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-center mx-auto max-sm:text-center max-sm:items-center\" 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 \/>\nBrodie Chapman <\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"flex gap-1 vds-byline-with-avatar__meta max-sm:justify-center\"><span class=\"vds-date block font-normal tracking-normal normal-case text-xs\"><br \/>\nPublished<br \/>\n<time data-component-name=\"UI:DateTime\" datetime=\"2026-08-09T13:30:26Z\" class=\"relative-date\"><br \/>\n9 August 2026<br \/>\n<\/time><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"strapline\">Riding the waves of envy, anticipation and teamwork speculation from the couch instead of the peloton <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<aside class=\"text-gray-700 flex items-center mx-0 my-5 p-0 justify-center text-center\" 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\/gnK4nHJ4D4SqDEjxhfNGQh-2560-80.jpg.webp 2560w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/gnK4nHJ4D4SqDEjxhfNGQh-1920-80.jpg.webp 1920w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/gnK4nHJ4D4SqDEjxhfNGQh-1600-80.jpg.webp 1600w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/gnK4nHJ4D4SqDEjxhfNGQh-1440-80.jpg.webp 1440w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/gnK4nHJ4D4SqDEjxhfNGQh-1280-80.jpg.webp 1280w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/gnK4nHJ4D4SqDEjxhfNGQh-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/gnK4nHJ4D4SqDEjxhfNGQh-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/gnK4nHJ4D4SqDEjxhfNGQh-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/gnK4nHJ4D4SqDEjxhfNGQh-750-80.jpg.webp 750w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/gnK4nHJ4D4SqDEjxhfNGQh-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/gnK4nHJ4D4SqDEjxhfNGQh-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/gnK4nHJ4D4SqDEjxhfNGQh-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"100vw\" \/><figcaption class=\"font-article-copy text-(--image--text--color) font-article-copy mt-2\"><span class=\"caption-text font-article-copy\">Writing exclusively for Cyclingnews, Brodie Chapman will be sharing her thoughts on the Tour de France Femmes<\/span><span class=\"credit font-article-copy\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"article-body\" class=\"text-copy bodyCopy auto paywall-locker\">\n<div data-analytics-id=\"utility-bar\" id=\"utility-bar\" class=\"font-ui-heading flex justify-between items-center py-2 border-t border-b border-gray-300 border-solid mb-5 mx-auto\" data-component-name=\"UtilityBar\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"utility-bar\">\n<div class=\"flex gap-2 text-[#333] subcontainer\">\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<div data-component-name=\"Social:Dropdown\" role=\"menu\" id=\"utilitybar__dropdown--share\" aria-labelledby=\"utilitybar__button--share\" class=\"absolute left-0 top-full w-44 bg-white rounded-md shadow-md border border-neutral-200 z-[9996] list-none m-0 py-2 px-3 border-solid\">\n<ul class=\"m-0!\">\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>Facebook<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>X<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 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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-51f3d2aa-932f-11f1-8d8b-ebfd6abd7a23\"><em><strong>Australian pro Brodie Chapman rides for UAE Team L&#8217;IMAD and had built up to race the<\/strong><\/em><u><em><strong>Tour de France Femmes<\/strong><\/em><\/u><em><strong> for a second time. Unfortunately it was an edition that ended early for her, with a DNS on stage 2 as illness intervened. It hadn&#8217;t been the easiest of runs to make it there in the first place either, as she went down hard in the Tour of Flanders in April, fracturing her pelvis and facing a tough recovery to get back for the Tour, which Chapman detailed in her<\/strong><\/em><u><em><strong>pre-race column.<\/strong><\/em><\/u><\/p>\n<p><em><strong>In her second of three columns, Chapman joins us while recuperating, rather than racing, to cast light on the pivotal stages. She takes us inside some of the plans and mindsets behind the unfolding action and also delivers some home truths about the simmering speculation on the dynamics within her own team.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-51f3d2aa-932f-11f1-8d8b-ebfd6abd7a23-2\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">I was sitting on my couch watching one of the greatest-ever cycling performances unfold before my eyes. Between pangs of envy for those riders experiencing the familiar slopes of Mont Ventoux first-hand, I was also brimming with joy and anticipation for what would follow. Friend and fan favourite Kasia Niewiadoma-Phinney left no room for doubt as she flawlessly executed her ascent toward the stage win and yellow jersey. Teammate and good friend Elisa Longo-Borghini managed her own race to perfection, closing in to take third on the stage in the last few hundred meters thanks to measured teamwork with Paula Blasi.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Besides the time trial, an individual event that shook up the GC, Mont Ventoux was undoubtedly a stage that was always going to be an important battle. It was the stage that lingered amongst the minds of the riders, those trying to win it, and those trying to survive it. I had discussed this stage in length with riders on my team, with people outside the peloton and in depth with Kasia.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">As mentioned in my previous column, entirely on the initiative of Kasia, a handful of us made a trip to Ventoux over a few days to learn the climb and understand its hefty list of demands. We did two ascents on the first day, and on the second day we did another ascent (much to my surprise). Kasia was feeling out the climb in real time. The heat was one thing, the steep corners another and the windy exposed sections something that could be volatile. What we couldn\u2019t know was how the riders themselves would approach the climb. We had to speculate.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Personally, I had felt that based on my experience on these climbs, the peloton would approach the climb with an absolutely all-out furious pace, leaving only a handful of favourites isolated from the first left-hand corner onwards. A few teams were left with a slight numerical advantage but, with such a trying gradient ahead, it would come down to who applied their strengths in the right moment, who really had the legs and heart to get to the top first. Despite what appeared to be a gamble between Demi Vollering and Marlen Reusser, on a climb this long, I believe if you could win this race, you would.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure full-width-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-169f90de-93c2-11f1-b631-593b80861d70\" 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\/fZgDdK35qHVb7xnYN6H3FS-2560-80.jpg.webp 2560w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/fZgDdK35qHVb7xnYN6H3FS-1920-80.jpg.webp 1920w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/fZgDdK35qHVb7xnYN6H3FS-1440-80.jpg.webp 1440w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/fZgDdK35qHVb7xnYN6H3FS-1280-80.jpg.webp 1280w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/fZgDdK35qHVb7xnYN6H3FS-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/fZgDdK35qHVb7xnYN6H3FS-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/fZgDdK35qHVb7xnYN6H3FS-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/fZgDdK35qHVb7xnYN6H3FS-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/fZgDdK35qHVb7xnYN6H3FS-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/fZgDdK35qHVb7xnYN6H3FS-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"100vw\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" full-width-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Kasia Niewiadoma on the charge on Mont Ventoux <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-a370b17c-93c3-11f1-a626-b7c511d4d01f\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Demi and Marlen are two of the best in the world. Cycling is a game, a tactical game that takes superhuman power to execute the right moves and a mixture of planning and instinct to know when to move. Kasia was simply better that day. Her heart was deeply embedded in this climb and she increased her lead with each stroke of the pedal; no amount of hesitation behind allows a gap this big to form accidentally. Kasia was in a flow state, she knew exactly where to go and when.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Behind the yellow jersey and previous winner Demi, another race was quietly unfolding. My teammates, two-time Giro d&#8217;Italia winner Elisa Longo Borghini and Vuelta Feminina winner Paula Blasi, were managing their own race. They didn\u2019t even try to respond to Demi&#8217;s first attack because they had a plan. The plan \u2013 conjured up by the performance team at UAE Team L&#8217;IMAD \u2013 had both riders following a pacing strategy. Strong and steady, Paula and Elisa didn&#8217;t flinch when the attacks kicked off. Instead, they continued to ride just shy of their limit for 11km.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">They didn&#8217;t waste any energy on the lower slopes trying to respond. Their response would be collective and calculated. As the trees faded into the background, Paula and Elisa slowly reeled in the pursuers. According to Elisa, Paula&#8217;s final pull as they approached the closing kilometres was paramount in launching Elisa into action to narrowly grasp third on the stage. She used that big acceleration at the perfect moment. Paula Blasi, in her maiden Tour de France Femmes, finished in fifth on the stage. Polish national champion Dominika Wlodarczyk rode into a commendable eighth, keeping the team high up in the GC and affirming that Polish cycling is in a very good place.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure full-width-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-cd1c7492-93ba-11f1-acce-df801eb7b414\" 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\/aHMwPTXsCuomh7v2pNqgHZ-2560-80.jpg.webp 2560w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/aHMwPTXsCuomh7v2pNqgHZ-1920-80.jpg.webp 1920w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/aHMwPTXsCuomh7v2pNqgHZ-1440-80.jpg.webp 1440w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/aHMwPTXsCuomh7v2pNqgHZ-1280-80.jpg.webp 1280w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/aHMwPTXsCuomh7v2pNqgHZ-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/aHMwPTXsCuomh7v2pNqgHZ-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/aHMwPTXsCuomh7v2pNqgHZ-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/aHMwPTXsCuomh7v2pNqgHZ-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/aHMwPTXsCuomh7v2pNqgHZ-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/aHMwPTXsCuomh7v2pNqgHZ-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"100vw\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" full-width-layout\"><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-a370b26c-93c3-11f1-8f54-add812ee4cf0\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">I hope this puts an end to the speculation around teamwork on UAE Team L&#8217;IMAD. Journalists also forget that riders eat together for every meal, for two weeks. We sit around the dinner table after the meal is done, laughing, discussing, and speculating. We sleep within centimetres of each other in pokey hotel rooms, share long transfers and hours at training camps together. To think there is room for scathing tension is ignorant.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">I also want to mention the teams behind the wins, the ones who get the riders to this point. I sometimes squirm when I hear commentators question the absence of a particular rider, that they expected more from them \u2026. They don&#8217;t see the work it entails and the energy these riders spend in order to spare their leaders. You come to a race with clear roles, even if on a good day you could gamble in a breakaway or win from a small group. If we all just raced to our hearts&#8217; desire you wouldn\u2019t see successful teamwork, where each ion of energy is purposeful and precious.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">From kilometre one the domestiques are taking wind, going back to the very back of the peloton, dropping into the convoy, riding back through the fast, hectic peloton carrying a bag full of bidons and ice, with bidons in their jersey and carrying up to six kilograms or more.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">hey position the team through the towns and the technical sections, to keep them safe and stay away from the back of the peloton where crashes are more likely to happen. They maintain a relentless pace heading into climbs like Ventoux, and then still have to ride up it themselves, very often after doing a maximal effort. If you have worked all day, the team also encourages you to take it easy after your job is done, in order to preserve energy to do it all again the next day.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure full-width-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-70dadf8e-93c4-11f1-8381-8512809e973d\" 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\/uermQB47kQs87cA43c2dFG-2560-80.jpg.webp 2560w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/uermQB47kQs87cA43c2dFG-1920-80.jpg.webp 1920w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/uermQB47kQs87cA43c2dFG-1440-80.jpg.webp 1440w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/uermQB47kQs87cA43c2dFG-1280-80.jpg.webp 1280w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/uermQB47kQs87cA43c2dFG-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/uermQB47kQs87cA43c2dFG-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/uermQB47kQs87cA43c2dFG-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/uermQB47kQs87cA43c2dFG-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/uermQB47kQs87cA43c2dFG-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/uermQB47kQs87cA43c2dFG-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"100vw\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" full-width-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Domestiques, such as Silvia Persico (UAE Team I&#8217;MAD) lined up along the front early on the Mont Ventoux stage <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-ccf247fe-93c3-11f1-9b8f-434debe3137c\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">As the race situation changes throughout the stages, those roles can definitely change too. While I wrote this, I was watching Canyon-SRAM&#8217;s Zoe B\u00e4ckstedt take Kasia first wheel into a cat. 4 climb ahead of a finish line that, on another day, also suited her characteristics. Silvia P\u00e9rsico has taken on the tasks of two riders in my absence, along with Mavi Garcia, who herself won a stage last year. It pains me that I feel the need to explain this, but unfortunately sometimes I still get questioned over whether women&#8217;s cycling has domestiques. I guess those people don&#8217;t really watch women\u2019s cycling.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The other thing to mention is that working for the team also doesn\u2019t always mean taking wind and collecting bidons. Working for the team can also mean being a part of the overall strategy, using a rider&#8217;s specific strengths to play the game, make the race hard or go deep into a final alongside the leaders.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The next day of racing will see the GC battle continue, with a strong bid for bonus seconds is my guess. For every single rider getting to Nice in one piece will be an achievement in itself. Some will have expected more than they got and others will leave satisfied or surprised. As athletes, we do not dwell long on the disappointments or the setbacks because otherwise it would consume us and take us out of the present \u2013 a present that is always demanding more work, better rest and adjusted goal setting.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"block mb-5\" id=\"articleTag\" data-component-name=\"PostArticleLinks\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"post-article-links\">\n<div class=\"border-b border-b-black border-solid py-2.5 text-black font-bold uppercase\">TOPICS<\/div>\n<nav class=\"py-2.5 flex gap-2.5 flex-wrap\" data-analytics-id=\"article-tag\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-tag\">\n<p>Premium Columns<\/p>\n<p>Premium In-Depth Racing<\/p>\n<\/nav>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"slice-container-authorBio-yRNeYgWA7s9cmQNeThtAbG\" class=\"slice-container slice-author-bio authorBio-yRNeYgWA7s9cmQNeThtAbG slice-container-authorBio\">\n<div class=\"author author__default-layout author--separator author--collapsible\" data-hydrate=\"true\">\n<div class=\"author__header\">\n<div class=\"author__avatar-block\">\n<figure class=\"image-wrapped__wrapper\" data-bordeaux-image-check=\"false\">\n<div class=\"image-wrapped__widthsetter\">\n<div class=\"image-wrapped__aspect-padding\">\n<div><source class=\"author__avatar image-wrapped__image image__image\" type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/d9NGn3Mcr8ZdYe6W4SbaV8-140-80.jpg.webp 140w\" sizes=\"99vw\" data-normal=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/d9NGn3Mcr8ZdYe6W4SbaV8.jpg\" data-original-mos=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/d9NGn3Mcr8ZdYe6W4SbaV8.jpg\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/d9NGn3Mcr8ZdYe6W4SbaV8.jpg\" data-pin-nopin=\"true\" data-slice-image=\"true\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__heading\">\n<div class=\"author__name\">Brodie Chapman<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__role\">Professional road cyclist for UAE Team L&#8217;IMAD<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__bio-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"author__biography\">\n<p>Brodie Chapman is an Australian professional road cyclist, currently riding for Women&#8217;s World Tour team, UAE Team L&#8217;IMAD. Chapman is an experienced and well-respected figure in the women&#8217;s peloton, and former Australian national road and time trial champion.<\/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<\/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\/nDyVaKisUHk4n5RxCDmYD9-1280-80.jpg.webp 1280w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/nDyVaKisUHk4n5RxCDmYD9-720-80.jpg.webp 720w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/nDyVaKisUHk4n5RxCDmYD9-640-80.jpg.webp 640w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/nDyVaKisUHk4n5RxCDmYD9-320-80.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>&#8216;You never should think you&#8217;re there&#8217; \u2013 Demi Vollering at her best and still improving after second Tour de France Femmes victory<\/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;The road was always going to do the talking&#8217; \u2013 How UAE Team L&#8217;IMAD blocked out the noise to deliver Elisa Longo Borghini to Tour de France Femmes podium<\/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;I felt stronger than in any other editions&#8217; \u2013 Why Kasia Niewiadoma-Phinney can celebrate second at the Tour de France Femmes as much as her 2024 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\">4<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">\n<p>Volta a Portugal: Double success for Alexis Guerin who takes over race lead after stage 4<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">5<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">\n<p>&#8216;We can only lose it if we had it first&#8217; \u2013 Tour de France Femmes ends in tears for Marlen Reusser as she crashes off of podium<\/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>Cycling is a tactical game that takes superhuman power \u2013 Brodie Chapman&#8217;s Tour de France Femmes column<\/h1>\n<div class=\"kiosq-member-label\" data-component-name=\"Article:Hero:KiosqPaywallLabels\"><span class=\"kiosq-member-label-text\"><br \/>\nMEMBER EXCLUSIVE<br \/>\n<\/span><\/div>\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-center mx-auto max-sm:text-center max-sm:items-center\" 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 \/>\nBrodie Chapman <\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"flex gap-1 vds-byline-with-avatar__meta max-sm:justify-center\"><span class=\"vds-date block font-normal tracking-normal normal-case text-xs\"><br \/>\nPublished<br \/>\n<time data-component-name=\"UI:DateTime\" datetime=\"2026-08-09T13:30:26Z\" class=\"relative-date\"><br \/>\n9 August 2026<br \/>\n<\/time><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"strapline\">Riding the waves of envy, anticipation and teamwork speculation from the couch instead of the peloton <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<aside class=\"text-gray-700 flex items-center mx-0 my-5 p-0 justify-center text-center\" 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. 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Unfortunately it was an edition that ended early for her, with a DNS on stage 2 as illness intervened. It hadn&#8217;t been the easiest of runs to make it there in the first place either, as she went down hard in the Tour of Flanders in April, fracturing her pelvis and facing a tough recovery to get back for the Tour, which Chapman detailed in her<\/strong><\/em><u><em><strong>pre-race column.<\/strong><\/em><\/u><\/p>\n<p><em><strong>In her second of three columns, Chapman joins us while recuperating, rather than racing, to cast light on the pivotal stages. She takes us inside some of the plans and mindsets behind the unfolding action and also delivers some home truths about the simmering speculation on the dynamics within her own team.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-51f3d2aa-932f-11f1-8d8b-ebfd6abd7a23-2\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">I was sitting on my couch watching one of the greatest-ever cycling performances unfold before my eyes. Between pangs of envy for those riders experiencing the familiar slopes of Mont Ventoux first-hand, I was also brimming with joy and anticipation for what would follow. Friend and fan favourite Kasia Niewiadoma-Phinney left no room for doubt as she flawlessly executed her ascent toward the stage win and yellow jersey. Teammate and good friend Elisa Longo-Borghini managed her own race to perfection, closing in to take third on the stage in the last few hundred meters thanks to measured teamwork with Paula Blasi.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Besides the time trial, an individual event that shook up the GC, Mont Ventoux was undoubtedly a stage that was always going to be an important battle. It was the stage that lingered amongst the minds of the riders, those trying to win it, and those trying to survive it. I had discussed this stage in length with riders on my team, with people outside the peloton and in depth with Kasia.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">As mentioned in my previous column, entirely on the initiative of Kasia, a handful of us made a trip to Ventoux over a few days to learn the climb and understand its hefty list of demands. We did two ascents on the first day, and on the second day we did another ascent (much to my surprise). Kasia was feeling out the climb in real time. The heat was one thing, the steep corners another and the windy exposed sections something that could be volatile. What we couldn\u2019t know was how the riders themselves would approach the climb. We had to speculate.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Personally, I had felt that based on my experience on these climbs, the peloton would approach the climb with an absolutely all-out furious pace, leaving only a handful of favourites isolated from the first left-hand corner onwards. A few teams were left with a slight numerical advantage but, with such a trying gradient ahead, it would come down to who applied their strengths in the right moment, who really had the legs and heart to get to the top first. Despite what appeared to be a gamble between Demi Vollering and Marlen Reusser, on a climb this long, I believe if you could win this race, you would.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure full-width-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-169f90de-93c2-11f1-b631-593b80861d70\" 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\/fZgDdK35qHVb7xnYN6H3FS-2560-80.jpg.webp 2560w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/fZgDdK35qHVb7xnYN6H3FS-1920-80.jpg.webp 1920w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/fZgDdK35qHVb7xnYN6H3FS-1440-80.jpg.webp 1440w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/fZgDdK35qHVb7xnYN6H3FS-1280-80.jpg.webp 1280w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/fZgDdK35qHVb7xnYN6H3FS-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/fZgDdK35qHVb7xnYN6H3FS-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/fZgDdK35qHVb7xnYN6H3FS-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/fZgDdK35qHVb7xnYN6H3FS-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/fZgDdK35qHVb7xnYN6H3FS-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/fZgDdK35qHVb7xnYN6H3FS-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"100vw\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" full-width-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Kasia Niewiadoma on the charge on Mont Ventoux <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-a370b17c-93c3-11f1-a626-b7c511d4d01f\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Demi and Marlen are two of the best in the world. Cycling is a game, a tactical game that takes superhuman power to execute the right moves and a mixture of planning and instinct to know when to move. Kasia was simply better that day. Her heart was deeply embedded in this climb and she increased her lead with each stroke of the pedal; no amount of hesitation behind allows a gap this big to form accidentally. Kasia was in a flow state, she knew exactly where to go and when.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Behind the yellow jersey and previous winner Demi, another race was quietly unfolding. My teammates, two-time Giro d&#8217;Italia winner Elisa Longo Borghini and Vuelta Feminina winner Paula Blasi, were managing their own race. They didn\u2019t even try to respond to Demi&#8217;s first attack because they had a plan. The plan \u2013 conjured up by the performance team at UAE Team L&#8217;IMAD \u2013 had both riders following a pacing strategy. Strong and steady, Paula and Elisa didn&#8217;t flinch when the attacks kicked off. Instead, they continued to ride just shy of their limit for 11km.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">They didn&#8217;t waste any energy on the lower slopes trying to respond. Their response would be collective and calculated. As the trees faded into the background, Paula and Elisa slowly reeled in the pursuers. According to Elisa, Paula&#8217;s final pull as they approached the closing kilometres was paramount in launching Elisa into action to narrowly grasp third on the stage. She used that big acceleration at the perfect moment. Paula Blasi, in her maiden Tour de France Femmes, finished in fifth on the stage. Polish national champion Dominika Wlodarczyk rode into a commendable eighth, keeping the team high up in the GC and affirming that Polish cycling is in a very good place.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure full-width-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-cd1c7492-93ba-11f1-acce-df801eb7b414\" 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\/aHMwPTXsCuomh7v2pNqgHZ-2560-80.jpg.webp 2560w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/aHMwPTXsCuomh7v2pNqgHZ-1920-80.jpg.webp 1920w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/aHMwPTXsCuomh7v2pNqgHZ-1440-80.jpg.webp 1440w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/aHMwPTXsCuomh7v2pNqgHZ-1280-80.jpg.webp 1280w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/aHMwPTXsCuomh7v2pNqgHZ-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/aHMwPTXsCuomh7v2pNqgHZ-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/aHMwPTXsCuomh7v2pNqgHZ-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/aHMwPTXsCuomh7v2pNqgHZ-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/aHMwPTXsCuomh7v2pNqgHZ-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/aHMwPTXsCuomh7v2pNqgHZ-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"100vw\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" full-width-layout\"><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-a370b26c-93c3-11f1-8f54-add812ee4cf0\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">I hope this puts an end to the speculation around teamwork on UAE Team L&#8217;IMAD. Journalists also forget that riders eat together for every meal, for two weeks. We sit around the dinner table after the meal is done, laughing, discussing, and speculating. We sleep within centimetres of each other in pokey hotel rooms, share long transfers and hours at training camps together. To think there is room for scathing tension is ignorant.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">I also want to mention the teams behind the wins, the ones who get the riders to this point. I sometimes squirm when I hear commentators question the absence of a particular rider, that they expected more from them \u2026. They don&#8217;t see the work it entails and the energy these riders spend in order to spare their leaders. You come to a race with clear roles, even if on a good day you could gamble in a breakaway or win from a small group. If we all just raced to our hearts&#8217; desire you wouldn\u2019t see successful teamwork, where each ion of energy is purposeful and precious.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">From kilometre one the domestiques are taking wind, going back to the very back of the peloton, dropping into the convoy, riding back through the fast, hectic peloton carrying a bag full of bidons and ice, with bidons in their jersey and carrying up to six kilograms or more.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">hey position the team through the towns and the technical sections, to keep them safe and stay away from the back of the peloton where crashes are more likely to happen. They maintain a relentless pace heading into climbs like Ventoux, and then still have to ride up it themselves, very often after doing a maximal effort. If you have worked all day, the team also encourages you to take it easy after your job is done, in order to preserve energy to do it all again the next day.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure full-width-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-70dadf8e-93c4-11f1-8381-8512809e973d\" 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\/uermQB47kQs87cA43c2dFG-2560-80.jpg.webp 2560w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/uermQB47kQs87cA43c2dFG-1920-80.jpg.webp 1920w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/uermQB47kQs87cA43c2dFG-1440-80.jpg.webp 1440w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/uermQB47kQs87cA43c2dFG-1280-80.jpg.webp 1280w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/uermQB47kQs87cA43c2dFG-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/uermQB47kQs87cA43c2dFG-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/uermQB47kQs87cA43c2dFG-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/uermQB47kQs87cA43c2dFG-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/uermQB47kQs87cA43c2dFG-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/uermQB47kQs87cA43c2dFG-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"100vw\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" full-width-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Domestiques, such as Silvia Persico (UAE Team I&#8217;MAD) lined up along the front early on the Mont Ventoux stage <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-ccf247fe-93c3-11f1-9b8f-434debe3137c\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">As the race situation changes throughout the stages, those roles can definitely change too. While I wrote this, I was watching Canyon-SRAM&#8217;s Zoe B\u00e4ckstedt take Kasia first wheel into a cat. 4 climb ahead of a finish line that, on another day, also suited her characteristics. Silvia P\u00e9rsico has taken on the tasks of two riders in my absence, along with Mavi Garcia, who herself won a stage last year. It pains me that I feel the need to explain this, but unfortunately sometimes I still get questioned over whether women&#8217;s cycling has domestiques. I guess those people don&#8217;t really watch women\u2019s cycling.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The other thing to mention is that working for the team also doesn\u2019t always mean taking wind and collecting bidons. Working for the team can also mean being a part of the overall strategy, using a rider&#8217;s specific strengths to play the game, make the race hard or go deep into a final alongside the leaders.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The next day of racing will see the GC battle continue, with a strong bid for bonus seconds is my guess. For every single rider getting to Nice in one piece will be an achievement in itself. Some will have expected more than they got and others will leave satisfied or surprised. As athletes, we do not dwell long on the disappointments or the setbacks because otherwise it would consume us and take us out of the present \u2013 a present that is always demanding more work, better rest and adjusted goal setting.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>[analyse_source url=&#8221;https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/pro-cycling\/womens-cycling\/cycling-is-a-tactical-game-that-takes-superhuman-power-brodie-chapmans-tour-de-france-femmes-column\/&#8221;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/gnK4nHJ4D4SqDEjxhfNGQh-2560-80.jpg&#8221;] Pro Cycling Racing Women&#8217;s Cycling Road Tour de France Femmes Cycling is a tactical game that takes superhuman power \u2013 Brodie Chapman&#8217;s Tour de France Femmes column MEMBER EXCLUSIVE Features By Brodie Chapman Published 9 August 2026 Riding the waves of envy, anticipation and teamwork speculation from the couch instead of the [&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-2085871","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\/2085871","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=2085871"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2085871\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2085871"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2085871"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2085871"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}