{"id":2087080,"date":"2026-08-10T12:01:22","date_gmt":"2026-08-10T09:01:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2087080"},"modified":"2026-08-10T12:01:22","modified_gmt":"2026-08-10T09:01:22","slug":"eight-things-we-learnt-from-a-spellbinding-edition-of-the-tour-de-france-femmes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2087080","title":{"rendered":"Eight things we learnt from a spellbinding edition of the Tour de France Femmes"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/TwZ2JJ7XzHb8a7VqyGNBMP-1024-80.jpghttps:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/fi6bBEBeasu8L5bpENYzBd-1024-80.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\/QD3q7s5hviXqumft5i8buM-160-80.jpg.webp 160w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QD3q7s5hviXqumft5i8buM-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: Mont Ventoux inspires a historic solo win and shakes-up the 2026 Tour de France Femmes 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\/FTw6GTYP6AggWLv9DvSXqh-160-80.jpg.webp 160w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/FTw6GTYP6AggWLv9DvSXqh-80-80.jpg.webp 80w\" sizes=\"80px\" \/><\/p>\n<div class=\"flex items-center justify-center absolute w-[18px] h-6 left-0 top-0 bg-white\/90 flex-none z-[1]\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><span class=\"font-normal text-base leading-[17px] tracking-[1.3px] uppercase text-black flex-none\">2<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"flex flex-col items-center justify-center gap-1.5 w-[173px] h-20 flex-none\">\n<p class=\"font-article-heading font-medium text-base leading-[21px] text-gray-800 w-[173px] line-clamp-3 group-hover:underline\">\n                                    As it happened: GC riders battle it out as race lead changes yet again on Tour de France Femmes stage 8\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\/4iFkHU65cMLh4S8iMhfQLS-160-80.jpg.webp 160w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4iFkHU65cMLh4S8iMhfQLS-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 favourites take control in final stage of the Tour de France Femmes\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>Eight things we learnt from a spellbinding edition of the Tour de France Femmes<\/h1>\n<div class=\"byline-social\">\n<div class=\"vds-byline-block flex flex-row flex-nowrap my-1.5 gap-2 text-left items-start max-sm:flex-col 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, Dani Ostanek <\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"flex gap-1 vds-byline-with-avatar__meta\"><span class=\"vds-date block font-normal tracking-normal normal-case text-xs\"><br \/>\nPublished<br \/>\n<time data-component-name=\"UI:DateTime\" datetime=\"2026-08-10T12:01:22Z\" class=\"relative-date\"><br \/>\n10 August 2026<br \/>\n<\/time><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"strapline\">On their way home from Nice, the Cyclingnews team dissects the key aspects of one of the most memorable and entertaining stage races of 2026<\/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\/fi6bBEBeasu8L5bpENYzBd-1024-80.jpg.webp 1920w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/fi6bBEBeasu8L5bpENYzBd-1024-80.jpg.webp 1600w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/fi6bBEBeasu8L5bpENYzBd-1024-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/fi6bBEBeasu8L5bpENYzBd-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/fi6bBEBeasu8L5bpENYzBd-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/fi6bBEBeasu8L5bpENYzBd-750-80.jpg.webp 750w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/fi6bBEBeasu8L5bpENYzBd-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/fi6bBEBeasu8L5bpENYzBd-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/fi6bBEBeasu8L5bpENYzBd-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 600px, 100vw\" \/><figcaption class=\"font-article-copy text-(--image--text--color) font-article-copy mt-2\"><span class=\"caption-text font-article-copy\">Tour de France Femmes 2026: the classification winners<\/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 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\">1<\/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-ea286f6e-94aa-11f1-b0aa-9d6bb1484aee\">After a fantastically entertaining final weekend in Nice, the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift is over for another year, and the latest winner has been crowned after a thrilling finale on the C\u00f4te d&#8217;Azur.<\/p>\n<p>Following a hard-fought battle that saw her win three stages but only take yellow on the penultimate day, Demi Vollering (FDJ United-SUEZ) became the first rider to win this race twice in the modern era, and brought the yellow jersey home to a French team for the first time.<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-ea286f6e-94aa-11f1-b0aa-9d6bb1484aee-2\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">In its fifth year of existence, the Tour de France Femmes somehow just keeps getting better, and this year was no exception, with a decisive and challenging time trial, a historic ascent of Mont Ventoux, and a perfectly-designed finale that kept the battle alive up until the very last hour of racing.<\/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\">We&#8217;ve covered the whole event in depth with news, analysis and exclusive interviews, but as the dust settles on this year&#8217;s edition, it&#8217;s time to look back on a truly fantastic nine days of racing, and what it means for its protagonists, the sport and the races still to come this year.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">After 10 days on the ground in Switzerland and France, here are eight key things we learnt from the 2026 Tour de France Femmes<\/p>\n<aside data-component-name=\"Recirculation:ArticleRiver\" data-recirculation-type=\"inline\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"Trending Bar\" data-nosnippet class=\"clear-both pt-2 pb-0 mb-4\"><span class=\"\n            flex\n            after:content-[&apos;&apos;] after:flex-1 after:ml-4 after:my-[0.7rem] after:border-t after:border-solid after:border-t-[#ccc]\n            before:content-[&apos;&apos;] before:flex-1 before:mr-4 before:my-[0.7rem] before:border-t before:border-solid before:border-t-[#ccc]\n            font-article-heading pb-0 text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,1em)] uppercase sm:text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,0.875em)] font-bold\n        \"><br \/>\n            You may like<br \/>\n        <\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"flex flex-col gap-0 m-0 max-w-full\">\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-1\" id=\"recirculation-inline-1\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-1\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-1\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hwq4f3gy8aQDoDq83JVD5U-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hwq4f3gy8aQDoDq83JVD5U-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\">Eight conclusions from the Tour de France \u2013 A new Poga\u010dar, Evenepoel&#8217;s next challenge and questions over racing in July<\/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\/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-[#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\/ZCqBH6DWwkMG5yCAUhedBC-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZCqBH6DWwkMG5yCAUhedBC-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">&#8216;Extending it to two weeks would be a great step&#8217; \u2013 France&#8217;s lone Tour de France Femmes success story C\u00e9drine Kerbaol excited for race&#8217;s future expansion<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<h2 id=\"the-vollering-niewiadoma-phinney-rivalry-continues-but-it-s-far-from-predictable-3\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The Vollering &#8211; Niewiadoma-Phinney rivalry continues, but it\u2019s far from predictable<\/h2>\n<p id=\"elk-5e6df934-94ab-11f1-93eb-2ba7e55f2f4f\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Cycling, as we&#8217;ve seen proven time and again through the years, is a sport of generations. The Classics and the Grand Tours always bear witness to extended spells of dominance by a handful of riders before they naturally age out of contention and the next generation comes along.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">In recent years, the men&#8217;s Tour de France has been dominated by the Poga\u010dar &#8211; Vingegaard rivalry, the two men duking it over the yellow jersey year after year at a level well above their GC rivals.<\/p>\n<div id=\"slice-container-newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-BcGWdHmdosMrBz28R8rnfj\" class=\"slice-container newsletter-inbodyContent-slice newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-BcGWdHmdosMrBz28R8rnfj 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\">With the conclusion of the 2026 edition, the Tour de France Femmes can say that it&#8217;s firmly in the Vollering &#8211; Niewiadoma-Phinney era. The final three stages of this year&#8217;s race played host to a thrilling back-and-forth battle between the pair, with more contention than past years, too, after the events of stage 8. As things stand, they\u2019re the only riders to have stood on the podium of every edition of the Tour.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-2c8c6b50-94ae-11f1-9d0f-e3a4be5d02d2\" 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\/eyoWLCfAwzDvCecX6H6HBa-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/eyoWLCfAwzDvCecX6H6HBa-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/eyoWLCfAwzDvCecX6H6HBa-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/eyoWLCfAwzDvCecX6H6HBa-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/eyoWLCfAwzDvCecX6H6HBa-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/eyoWLCfAwzDvCecX6H6HBa-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\">Demi Vollering vs Kasia Niewiadoma-Phinney is the major rivalry of the the Tour de France Femmes <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-2c8c6bfa-94ae-11f1-9ca1-fd2ed503fb1a\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Both came into the race among the very top favourites for the yellow jersey, but with the likes of Pauline Ferrand-Pr\u00e9vot, Marlen Reusser, Elisa Longo Borghini, and more also racing, their success was far from a foregone conclusion.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Without wishing to constantly compare women&#8217;s and men&#8217;s racing, that simply isn&#8217;t the case at the men&#8217;s Tour, where few others beyond the &#8216;big two&#8217; stand a realistic shot at yellow. There are no such foregone conclusions at the Femmes, and we should be grateful for that. <em>(DO)<\/em><\/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\/FnrPiTxPi7MhH8v9XJnqub-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/FnrPiTxPi7MhH8v9XJnqub-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\">Pauline Ferrand-Pr\u00e9vot is nowhere near done, but don&#8217;t underestimate Marlen Reusser in yellow \u2013 Tour de France Femmes analysis<\/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\/RuyNbGWyNRynWWLuycEZQJ-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RuyNbGWyNRynWWLuycEZQJ-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\">Kasia Niewiadoma-Phinney reigns as queen of Mont Ventoux, but the Tour de France Femmes crown is still up for grabs\u00a0\u2013 Analysis<\/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\/4iFkHU65cMLh4S8iMhfQLS-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4iFkHU65cMLh4S8iMhfQLS-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\">As it happened: The favourites take control in final stage of the Tour de France Femmes<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<h2 id=\"pauline-ferrand-prevot-is-not-untouchable-in-fact-she-still-has-a-lot-to-learn-3\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Pauline Ferrand-Pr\u00e9vot is not untouchable \u2013 in fact she still has a lot to learn<\/h2>\n<p id=\"elk-2c8c6cd6-94ae-11f1-9696-b9573a7477b1\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">A year ago, Pauline Ferrand-Pr\u00e9vot was an unstoppable force as she sailed to her first Tour de France Femmes title, and I think we were all expecting a similar show of strength in this year&#8217;s edition. Vollering had had the more impressive season beforehand, sure, but PFP&#8217;s singular focus and unrivalled commitment to training and form was expected to bring her back to the Tour in fantastic shape.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">But instead, her race was pretty much a flop, rarely matching the level of the best riders, neither on the punchier stages, the time trial nor the long climb of Mont Ventoux before dropping out with a vague illness.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-2c8c6d44-94ae-11f1-9a60-4bfd7bd18e6f\" 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\/hSqcJUzJVs5biqzKSYfwQE-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hSqcJUzJVs5biqzKSYfwQE-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hSqcJUzJVs5biqzKSYfwQE-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hSqcJUzJVs5biqzKSYfwQE-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hSqcJUzJVs5biqzKSYfwQE-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hSqcJUzJVs5biqzKSYfwQE-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\">Reigning champion Pauline Ferrand-Pr\u00e9vot struggled during the race before withdrawing <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-2c8c6db2-94ae-11f1-845b-c1f8dd19eb8b\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The Frenchwoman was in good spirits and not frustrated by her performance, but this week has dispelled the idea that perhaps we had last year that if she puts her mind to something, she can do it at will. Clearly, the TT is still a major weakness that you have only been able to improve so much, and even her dialled training approach can fail her and bring her to the Tour without the level to compete.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Ferrand-Pr\u00e9vot has already achieved her major goal of winning the Tour and she&#8217;s still a legendary and decorated rider. However, after thinking last year that she could just pick an aim and achieve it straightforwardly, this year has reminded us that she is human and fallible, and even she still have areas to improve and learn. <em>(MP)<\/em><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"route-design-is-everything-3\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Route design is everything<\/h2>\n<p id=\"elk-2c8c6ede-94ae-11f1-8ba3-657e8d650fdb\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">It&#8217;s not controversial to say that this Tour de France Femmes was one of the best, if not the best, editions of the race in terms of excitement, intrigue and competition. But that wasn&#8217;t just down to the talented riders, most of whom have been here every year. It was also down to the route design.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">When the route was unveiled last autumn, it was clear that the route designers had gone big on difficulty, eschewing the flat sprint stages in favour of multiple one-day-style punchy routes and, crucially, a time trial. They opted for just one mountaintop finish on Ventoux, and a circuit race finale that could keep things alive to the final day.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">It was a little bit of a gamble, I think, because the race could have been signed, sealed and delivered on Ventoux on Friday and the final weekend could have been a bit anti-climactic, but actually, I think the organisers got it just right. They know the dynamics of cycling and they designed the route to reach a high point in its final few days.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-2c8c6f4c-94ae-11f1-9a04-4b480622682a\" 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\/tcihoLWp8gVQtohgnsNabE-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/tcihoLWp8gVQtohgnsNabE-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/tcihoLWp8gVQtohgnsNabE-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/tcihoLWp8gVQtohgnsNabE-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/tcihoLWp8gVQtohgnsNabE-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/tcihoLWp8gVQtohgnsNabE-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\">Tour organisers struck gold with a route which encouraged attacks <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-2c8c6fb0-94ae-11f1-a499-0126f6fee358\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">And that&#8217;s exactly what we got. The GC riders tested their legs as early as the first day in Lausanne, and took every single opportunity to race, be it on stage 5, Ventoux, or the Col d&#8217;Eze finale. The time trial also offered fantastic intrigue, bringing Marlen Reusser into the fight and ensuring the winner was a true all-rounder.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">By including punchy stages but only one big climb, the route ensured that there were time gaps and an extended GC fight, but the gaps were never once big enough to be considered done, not until Vollering crossed the line on Sunday.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Grand Tours will always have mountaintop finishes and sprint stages, but it&#8217;s what the route includes between those extremes which really makes the race, and this Tour got that utterly spot on. <em>(MP)<\/em><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"the-level-is-high-enough-to-add-more-stages-3\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The level is high enough to add more stages<\/h2>\n<p id=\"elk-2c8c70b4-94ae-11f1-ada4-9d47d039105c\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The topic of race expansion seems to be brought up year after year in women&#8217;s cycling, from the length of Classics and stages to the number of days featuring in a Grand Tour.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">This summer, after five years of the race, it seems barely believable that the Tour de France Femmes didn&#8217;t even exist before 2022, with the one-day La Course running as its predecessor since 2014.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Since its inception, the Tour has grown from eight stages in its first three years to nine stages in 2025 and 2026. This year&#8217;s was, by the numbers, the toughest edition yet, featuring 18,795 metres of elevation gain as three hours covered first to last places.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Is it time to add another stage? The final stages certainly left us wanting more, with exciting racing all the way to the finish line, and another mountain stage \u2013 not necessarily another summit finish \u2013 wouldn\u2019t have gone amiss.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-2c8c717c-94ae-11f1-93a0-b39e10f274a6\" 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\/XBmHuSqMcWuZyfB7V6jwQ8-1024-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/XBmHuSqMcWuZyfB7V6jwQ8-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/XBmHuSqMcWuZyfB7V6jwQ8-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/XBmHuSqMcWuZyfB7V6jwQ8-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/XBmHuSqMcWuZyfB7V6jwQ8-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/XBmHuSqMcWuZyfB7V6jwQ8-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">2026 Tour de France Femmes stage 7: the third chase group on the Mont Ventoux <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-2c8c71e0-94ae-11f1-8a4a-31a392bf7be3\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Women riders are often asked if they&#8217;d like to race three weeks, and C\u00e9drine Kerbaol, who finished sixth overall, told<em> L&#8217;Equipe<\/em> after the race that she&#8217;d be &#8220;very happy&#8221; if the Tour were expanded to that length, even if &#8220;my teammates don&#8217;t share that opinion.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Three weeks might be too far of a leap right now, but the level of competition at the Tour means that it could certainly expand to 10 or 11 days, or maybe even 12 with the addition of a rest day. The gradual expansion has worked so far, after all.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Meanwhile, in her closing press conference, Elisa Longo Borghini reminded us of the importance of supporting women&#8217;s racing at lower levels and the youth ranks, too.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;We are reaching a great level in general in cycling. What I would like to see is the base to be a little bit more wide, let&#8217;s say, and to not see small teams disappearing. Because otherwise we will not have a change of generation. Young girls will not have a chance to have experience,&#8221; she said.<em> (DO)<\/em><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"celia-gery-was-the-mvp-of-the-tour-3\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">C\u00e9lia Gery was the MVP of the Tour <\/h2>\n<p id=\"elk-ad6ffc00-94ae-11f1-860f-cd88eafc21c0\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">C\u00e9lia Gery&#8217;s debut Tour ended in a bit of a cloud as the 20-year-old found herself at the centre of drama and online nastiness after a racing clash with Kasia Niewiadoma-Phinney. But we shouldn&#8217;t forget that she was one of the most influential, important and strong riders of the entire race.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Juliette Berthet may have won the official, fan-voted teammate of the race prize, but honestly, I&#8217;d have given it to Gery. Only 20 this year, U23 World Champion Gery has already won the elite French National Championships and been entrusted to join Demi Vollering at two Grand Tours, and this week it was clear to see why. The Frenchwoman is so strong, often the last rider left with Vollering on the punchy stages, and really brave with her riding despite being one of the youngest riders in the bunch.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">You could argue that riders like Berthet and \u00c9vita Muzic had a slightly lacklustre race compared to previous years, though I&#8217;m sure they did important work that we didn&#8217;t always see. But Gery was always there, always making the race, and I don&#8217;t think Vollering could have won this race without her.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-ad6ffc78-94ae-11f1-9513-e30d08088788\" 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\/4V5UJA8x69b6TEXqXMGskD-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4V5UJA8x69b6TEXqXMGskD-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4V5UJA8x69b6TEXqXMGskD-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4V5UJA8x69b6TEXqXMGskD-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4V5UJA8x69b6TEXqXMGskD-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4V5UJA8x69b6TEXqXMGskD-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\">French champion C\u00e9lia Gery was a standout performer in service of Demi Vollering <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-ad6ffce6-94ae-11f1-99ce-f549ab3bdf64\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The other point of strength is that Gery did not get overexcited or drawn into her own ambitions, and every attack was smart and to the benefit of the team. And to be honest, that move on Niewiadoma-Phinney, whether she liked it or not, was a really bold one from Gery, a rider who is willing to fight tooth and nail for the win.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">As long as it&#8217;s legal, we shouldn&#8217;t punish that tenacity. She wasn&#8217;t rewarded with a stage win like she was at the Giro d&#8217;Italia, but she got to be part of the first French team to win the yellow jersey, and surely carved out her place in Tour teams for years to come. <em>(MP)<\/em><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"the-next-generation-is-waiting-in-the-wings-3\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The next generation is waiting in the wings<\/h2>\n<p id=\"elk-9feb0cf4-94af-11f1-aec8-b32770c9664d\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The main storyline of the Tour saw a host of established GC stars battle it out at the top of the standings. However, there were several standout performances from the next generation of riders who will inevitably be in a similar position in the years to come.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">In Nice, the final top 10 featured three riders aged 23 or under in Antonia Niedermaier, Paula Blasi, and Isabella Holmgren, with the former pair spending much of their race working for more experienced GC leaders in Niewiadoma-Phinney and Longo Borghini.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-9feb0d62-94af-11f1-9d6b-bffdefeed024\" 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\/RSZGtxv7SRQYuNRo6TCoUE-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RSZGtxv7SRQYuNRo6TCoUE-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RSZGtxv7SRQYuNRo6TCoUE-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RSZGtxv7SRQYuNRo6TCoUE-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RSZGtxv7SRQYuNRo6TCoUE-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RSZGtxv7SRQYuNRo6TCoUE-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\">Paula Blasi and Antonia Niedermaier were among the young riders to shine during the race <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-9feb0dc6-94af-11f1-8164-737bb6145afb\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">This time next year, both may be leading their own teams, if rumoured transfers are to be believed, with Niewiadoma-Phinney rumoured to be joining Holmgren at Lidl-Trek, and Blasi seemingly set for a Movistar switch.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">All three are already Grand Tour forces in their own right, and they\u2019re all still growing and improving as riders, too. Niedermaier took the white jersey home, while Blasi \u2013 second on the final stage \u2013 and Holmgren \u2013 launching a solo attack on the Col d\u2019Eze \u2013 both went out with a bang.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">You can also add 20-year-old Gery, immaculate in her service for Vollering at both Giro and Tour, and 25-year-old Niamh Fisher-Black, still on the rise as a GC racer, after her switch to Lidl-Trek last year, to the list. (<em>DO)<\/em><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"from-feast-to-famine-for-french-riders-3\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">From feast to famine for French riders<\/h2>\n<p id=\"elk-9feb0e98-94af-11f1-8e8c-6ba4d304fe69\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Last summer saw the home nation experience its most successful Tour de France Femmes yet as Pauline Ferrand-Pr\u00e9vot won France\u2019s first yellow jersey in decades while she and breakout star Ma\u00ebva Squiban shared four of the race\u2019s nine stages between them.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">This year, the end results for home riders made far bleaker reading, even if home team FDJ United-SUEZ took home the yellow jersey with Demi Vollering\u2019s second triumph.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Beyond the French squad\u2019s success, there was little to shout about for the masses of French fans at the roadside. EF Education-Oatly\u2019s Cedrine Kerbaol was the sole shining light as far as the general classification goes, improving on her eighth place last year to sixth this time around. She also took the home nation\u2019s only stage podium finish with a second place behind Kim Le Court-Pienaar in Tournon-sur-Rhone. <\/p>\n<p>Ferrand-Pr\u00e9vot, meanwhile, was well below the astonishing level she showed last year. The Visma-Lease a Bike leader lost two minutes in the time trial and two more in the hills the next stage before cracking altogether on Mont Ventoux and withdrawing with a reported illnes<strong>s <\/strong>the next morning.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-9feb0f06-94af-11f1-bbfd-dbb9209c5fbc\" 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\/BUimPp6GRd4nFzo3EGhD8m-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/BUimPp6GRd4nFzo3EGhD8m-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/BUimPp6GRd4nFzo3EGhD8m-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/BUimPp6GRd4nFzo3EGhD8m-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/BUimPp6GRd4nFzo3EGhD8m-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/BUimPp6GRd4nFzo3EGhD8m-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\">Home fans didn&#8217;t have a lot to cheer for as French riders largely failed to make an impact <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-9feb0f92-94af-11f1-951e-117b1e57e453\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">It\u2019s not all bad news for France, however \u2013 young guns C\u00e9lia Gery and Ferrand-Pr\u00e9vot\u2019s teammate, 21-year-old Marion Bunel who took third at La Vuelta, look certain to contest Grand Tours in the near future.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Then there\u2019s Ma\u00ebva Squiban, who switched from swashbuckling freelance attacker to domestique this year, though won\u2019t always be consigned to that role, and Ferrand-Pr\u00e9vot, who will surely be back to battle for another yellow jersey. <em>(DO)<\/em><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"the-appetite-and-viewership-for-full-tv-coverage-is-there-3\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The appetite and viewership for full TV coverage is there<\/h2>\n<p id=\"elk-8160893e-94b0-11f1-aa2a-c33bb14c8d8a\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Those of us who have been involved in women&#8217;s cycling for years have been banging on about TV coverage for ages, when we had to ask and fight for there to be any coverage at all of even the biggest races. Thanks to a combination of fan interest, investment and UCI rules, coverage of the Women&#8217;s WorldTour is now better than ever. But the Tour de France showed that viewers still want more \u2013 and that asking for more coverage is now a mainstream opinion, not the reserve of a select few women&#8217;s cycling obsessives.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The coverage this year was more extensive than ever, with three stages shown in full, but the racing convinced most of us that full coverage of every stage would be completely justified. Stage 3 seemed to be the most galvanising, with the two hours of live coverage meaning that we never got to see the winning attack from Sigrid Haugset (Uno-X Mobility), and reminding us that just showing the second half of a race is no longer enough.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-816089de-94b0-11f1-a420-15ea310ad6b7\" 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\/TwZ2JJ7XzHb8a7VqyGNBMP-1024-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/TwZ2JJ7XzHb8a7VqyGNBMP-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/TwZ2JJ7XzHb8a7VqyGNBMP-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/TwZ2JJ7XzHb8a7VqyGNBMP-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/TwZ2JJ7XzHb8a7VqyGNBMP-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/TwZ2JJ7XzHb8a7VqyGNBMP-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\">Tour de France Femmes race director Marion Rousse is hoping for full coverage of the race in future <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-81608a74-94b0-11f1-9730-4ba411575ab3\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Of course, there are financial considerations, and the broadcasters and organisers have to see the economics of such a move, but TV viewership this year is surely on the way to justifying such a move. Full figures aren&#8217;t out yet, but France TV said that over 2 million people watched the opening stage last Saturday, only 20% less than the figures for the opening men&#8217;s stage, and Dutch broadcaster NOS reported that viewing figures for the Ventoux stage exceeded viewership for all but two stages of the men&#8217;s race.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;I&#8217;ve discussed this at length with France T\u00e9l\u00e9visions and we\u2019re giving serious consideration to broadcasting all the stages in full in the future because the women deserve it, and because it works well in terms of audience figures,&#8221; race director Marion Rousse said on the topic. &#8220;We\u2019re currently giving it real consideration, which is a step forward. Things are moving in the right direction.\u201d<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Whether it&#8217;s full coverage next year or expanded coverage and flag-to-finish images in the future, Rousse is right that things are definitely going in the right direction. Coverage that matches the men&#8217;s race is already wanted, and is surely not far from being achievable. <em>(MP)<\/em><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-5e6dfa60-94ab-11f1-aa01-513d2736e4b9\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\"><em><strong>Support our unrivalled coverage of the Tour de France Femmes and women&#8217;s cycling by subscribing to Cyclingnews. In return, you get unlimited access to high-quality journalism, with breaking news, race analysis, and expert insight from inside the women&#8217;s peloton. Plus, the Cyclingnews app lets you follow the action wherever you go! <\/strong><\/em><u><em><strong>Join today.<\/strong><\/em><\/u><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"slice-container-authorBio-BcGWdHmdosMrBz28R8rnfj\" class=\"slice-container slice-author-bio authorBio-BcGWdHmdosMrBz28R8rnfj slice-container-authorBio\">\n<div class=\"author author__default-layout author--separator author--collapsible\" data-hydrate=\"true\">\n<div class=\"author__header\">\n<div class=\"author__avatar-block\">\n<figure class=\"image-wrapped__wrapper\" data-bordeaux-image-check=\"false\">\n<div class=\"image-wrapped__widthsetter\">\n<div class=\"image-wrapped__aspect-padding\">\n<div><source class=\"author__avatar image-wrapped__image image__image\" type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/PSRUchRz7RcBeXHn7hDvCh-140-80.jpg.webp 140w\" sizes=\"99vw\" data-normal=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/PSRUchRz7RcBeXHn7hDvCh.jpg\" data-original-mos=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/PSRUchRz7RcBeXHn7hDvCh.jpg\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/PSRUchRz7RcBeXHn7hDvCh.jpg\" data-pin-nopin=\"true\" data-slice-image=\"true\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__heading\">\n<div class=\"author__name\">Dani Ostanek<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__social\">\n<nav class=\"button-social-group author__social-buttons\" aria-labelledby=\"button-social-group- author__social-buttons\">\n<div id=\"button-social-group- author__social-buttons\">Social Links Navigation<\/div>\n<\/nav>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__role\">Senior News Writer<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__bio-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"author__biography\">\n<p>Dani Ostanek is Senior News Writer at Cyclingnews, having joined in 2017 as a freelance contributor, later being hired full-time. Her favourite races include Strade Bianche, the Tour de France Femmes, Paris-Roubaix, and Tro-Bro L\u00e9on.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<div class=\"relative max-w-[1070px] viafoura-twig-component mt-6 mx-4 lg:mx-0\" data-component-name=\"Viafoura:Comments\" data-nosnippet data-community-guidelines-text=\"&lt;p class=&apos;vfcustom-community-guidelines&apos;&gt;Please follow our &lt;a href=&quot;https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/about\/#section-community-guidelines&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;community guidelines&lt;\/a&gt;.&lt;\/p&gt;\" data-join-the-conversation-text=\"Join the Conversation\">\n<div class=\"absolute top-0 left-0 w-full h-full flex items-center justify-center z-50 bg-white\/90 border-1 rounded-b-[var(--comment-widget-border-radius,0)]\">\n<div class=\"p-2 text-center\">\n<p class=\"mb-3 text-lg!\">You must confirm your public display name before commenting<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-3 text-sm!\">Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<section class=\"mx-2 my-5 sm:mx-0\">\n<aside class=\"w-full\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-stacked\">\n<div data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-adviser:hybrid\">\n<div class=\"text-white py-4 px-3 mb-4 bg-[#333] uppercase font-bold custom-header-styles\">Read more<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid grid-cols-1 gap-4 mt-4 mb-5\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hwq4f3gy8aQDoDq83JVD5U-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hwq4f3gy8aQDoDq83JVD5U-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hwq4f3gy8aQDoDq83JVD5U-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hwq4f3gy8aQDoDq83JVD5U-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hwq4f3gy8aQDoDq83JVD5U-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\">Eight conclusions from the Tour de France \u2013 A new Poga\u010dar, Evenepoel&#8217;s next challenge and questions over racing in July<\/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\/ZCqBH6DWwkMG5yCAUhedBC-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZCqBH6DWwkMG5yCAUhedBC-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZCqBH6DWwkMG5yCAUhedBC-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZCqBH6DWwkMG5yCAUhedBC-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZCqBH6DWwkMG5yCAUhedBC-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;Extending it to two weeks would be a great step&#8217; \u2013 France&#8217;s lone Tour de France Femmes success story C\u00e9drine Kerbaol excited for race&#8217;s future expansion<\/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\/RuyNbGWyNRynWWLuycEZQJ-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RuyNbGWyNRynWWLuycEZQJ-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RuyNbGWyNRynWWLuycEZQJ-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RuyNbGWyNRynWWLuycEZQJ-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RuyNbGWyNRynWWLuycEZQJ-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\">Kasia Niewiadoma-Phinney reigns as queen of Mont Ventoux, but the Tour de France Femmes crown is still up for grabs\u00a0\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\/4iFkHU65cMLh4S8iMhfQLS-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4iFkHU65cMLh4S8iMhfQLS-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4iFkHU65cMLh4S8iMhfQLS-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4iFkHU65cMLh4S8iMhfQLS-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4iFkHU65cMLh4S8iMhfQLS-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\">As it happened: The favourites take control in final stage of the Tour de France Femmes<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\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\/gz4JkzFTwRkRJKxz5fjwTM-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/gz4JkzFTwRkRJKxz5fjwTM-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/gz4JkzFTwRkRJKxz5fjwTM-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/gz4JkzFTwRkRJKxz5fjwTM-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/gz4JkzFTwRkRJKxz5fjwTM-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\">Nicole Frain wins seventh race of season at Heathland Gravel, while fellow Australian sets FKT on Icelandic Divide &#8211; Gravel Bits<\/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\/ZCqBH6DWwkMG5yCAUhedBC-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZCqBH6DWwkMG5yCAUhedBC-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZCqBH6DWwkMG5yCAUhedBC-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZCqBH6DWwkMG5yCAUhedBC-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZCqBH6DWwkMG5yCAUhedBC-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;Extending it to two weeks would be a great step&#8217; \u2013 France&#8217;s lone Tour de France Femmes success story C\u00e9drine Kerbaol excited for race&#8217;s future expansion<\/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\/hZidVj7eMmRqjLVSxKW5rC-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hZidVj7eMmRqjLVSxKW5rC-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hZidVj7eMmRqjLVSxKW5rC-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hZidVj7eMmRqjLVSxKW5rC-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hZidVj7eMmRqjLVSxKW5rC-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\">Demi Vollering and FDJ the top earners as one team leaves penniless \u2013 Tour de France Femmes prize money wrapped<\/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\/VSedT282BgEAeFd5bWgv38-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/VSedT282BgEAeFd5bWgv38-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/VSedT282BgEAeFd5bWgv38-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/VSedT282BgEAeFd5bWgv38-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/VSedT282BgEAeFd5bWgv38-320-80.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 can make the race harder, but do we want to?&#8217; Tour de France Femmes director Marion Rousse backs variety over difficulty for future route design<\/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\/n79SrW7BWswec7z7KtRp4Z-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/n79SrW7BWswec7z7KtRp4Z-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/n79SrW7BWswec7z7KtRp4Z-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/n79SrW7BWswec7z7KtRp4Z-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/n79SrW7BWswec7z7KtRp4Z-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\">In Antonia Niedermaier, Canyon-SRAM have created the perfect successor to Kasia Niewiadoma-Phinney<\/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\/nDyVaKisUHk4n5RxCDmYD9-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/nDyVaKisUHk4n5RxCDmYD9-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/nDyVaKisUHk4n5RxCDmYD9-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/nDyVaKisUHk4n5RxCDmYD9-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/nDyVaKisUHk4n5RxCDmYD9-320-80.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;You never should think you&#8217;re &#8216;there&#8221; \u2013 Demi Vollering at her best and still improving with second Tour de France Femmes victory<\/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\/dyiMirtfoqNdMdnxyKG87H-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/dyiMirtfoqNdMdnxyKG87H-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/dyiMirtfoqNdMdnxyKG87H-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/dyiMirtfoqNdMdnxyKG87H-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/dyiMirtfoqNdMdnxyKG87H-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\">Road Bikes<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">What experienced cyclists notice first about a high-performance road bike<\/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\/gnK4nHJ4D4SqDEjxhfNGQh-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/gnK4nHJ4D4SqDEjxhfNGQh-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/gnK4nHJ4D4SqDEjxhfNGQh-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/gnK4nHJ4D4SqDEjxhfNGQh-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/gnK4nHJ4D4SqDEjxhfNGQh-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\">Cycling is a tactical game that takes superhuman power \u2013 Brodie Chapman&#8217;s Tour de France Femmes column<\/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\/RuyNbGWyNRynWWLuycEZQJ-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RuyNbGWyNRynWWLuycEZQJ-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RuyNbGWyNRynWWLuycEZQJ-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RuyNbGWyNRynWWLuycEZQJ-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RuyNbGWyNRynWWLuycEZQJ-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\">Kasia Niewiadoma-Phinney reigns as queen of Mont Ventoux, but the Tour de France Femmes crown is still up for grabs\u00a0\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\/SFTn6SXzXiMpdFPHSFxN4n-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/SFTn6SXzXiMpdFPHSFxN4n-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/SFTn6SXzXiMpdFPHSFxN4n-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/SFTn6SXzXiMpdFPHSFxN4n-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/SFTn6SXzXiMpdFPHSFxN4n-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;It&#8217;s just a mind trip&#8217; \u2013\u00a0Riders from the Tour de France Femmes peloton recount their racing experiences of Mont Ventoux<\/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\/rDW8Se9c6SxiWPeGQP87jk-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/rDW8Se9c6SxiWPeGQP87jk-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/rDW8Se9c6SxiWPeGQP87jk-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/rDW8Se9c6SxiWPeGQP87jk-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/rDW8Se9c6SxiWPeGQP87jk-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\">Despite &#8216;all the noise&#8217;, UAE Team L&#8217;IMAD&#8217;s multi-leader approach working but Mont Ventoux could change everything at the Tour de France Femmes<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/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>\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\/fM7aQj7cSaNscNYwLVNRDh-1280-80.jpg.webp 1280w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/fM7aQj7cSaNscNYwLVNRDh-720-80.jpg.webp 720w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/fM7aQj7cSaNscNYwLVNRDh-640-80.jpg.webp 640w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/fM7aQj7cSaNscNYwLVNRDh-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;My ambition is to become a consistent winner&#8217; &#8211; Pavel Bittner takes his talents to Pinarello-Q36.5 for next two seasons<\/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>Volta a Portugal: Julius Johansen wins stage 5 time trial for second victory the race<\/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>Parent company of Lapierre and Raleigh initiates insolvency proceedings, putting major brands at risk<\/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>Nicole Frain wins seventh race of season at Heathland Gravel, while fellow Australian sets FKT on Icelandic Divide &#8211; Gravel Bits<\/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;Extending it to two weeks would be a great step&#8217; \u2013 France&#8217;s lone Tour de France Femmes success story C\u00e9drine Kerbaol excited for race&#8217;s future expansion<\/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>Eight things we learnt from a spellbinding edition of the Tour de France Femmes<\/h1>\n<div class=\"byline-social\">\n<div class=\"vds-byline-block flex flex-row flex-nowrap my-1.5 gap-2 text-left items-start max-sm:flex-col 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, Dani Ostanek <\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"flex gap-1 vds-byline-with-avatar__meta\"><span class=\"vds-date block font-normal tracking-normal normal-case text-xs\"><br \/>\nPublished<br \/>\n<time data-component-name=\"UI:DateTime\" datetime=\"2026-08-10T12:01:22Z\" class=\"relative-date\"><br \/>\n10 August 2026<br \/>\n<\/time><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"strapline\">On their way home from Nice, the Cyclingnews team dissects the key aspects of one of the most memorable and entertaining stage races of 2026<\/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\" 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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\/fi6bBEBeasu8L5bpENYzBd-1024-80.jpg.webp 1920w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/fi6bBEBeasu8L5bpENYzBd-1024-80.jpg.webp 1600w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/fi6bBEBeasu8L5bpENYzBd-1024-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/fi6bBEBeasu8L5bpENYzBd-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/fi6bBEBeasu8L5bpENYzBd-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/fi6bBEBeasu8L5bpENYzBd-750-80.jpg.webp 750w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/fi6bBEBeasu8L5bpENYzBd-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/fi6bBEBeasu8L5bpENYzBd-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/fi6bBEBeasu8L5bpENYzBd-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 600px, 100vw\" \/><figcaption class=\"font-article-copy text-(--image--text--color) font-article-copy mt-2\"><span class=\"caption-text font-article-copy\">Tour de France Femmes 2026: the classification winners<\/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 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\">1<\/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-ea286f6e-94aa-11f1-b0aa-9d6bb1484aee\">After a fantastically entertaining final weekend in Nice, the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift is over for another year, and the latest winner has been crowned after a thrilling finale on the C\u00f4te d&#8217;Azur.<\/p>\n<p>Following a hard-fought battle that saw her win three stages but only take yellow on the penultimate day, Demi Vollering (FDJ United-SUEZ) became the first rider to win this race twice in the modern era, and brought the yellow jersey home to a French team for the first time.<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-ea286f6e-94aa-11f1-b0aa-9d6bb1484aee-2\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">In its fifth year of existence, the Tour de France Femmes somehow just keeps getting better, and this year was no exception, with a decisive and challenging time trial, a historic ascent of Mont Ventoux, and a perfectly-designed finale that kept the battle alive up until the very last hour of racing.<\/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\">We&#8217;ve covered the whole event in depth with news, analysis and exclusive interviews, but as the dust settles on this year&#8217;s edition, it&#8217;s time to look back on a truly fantastic nine days of racing, and what it means for its protagonists, the sport and the races still to come this year.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">After 10 days on the ground in Switzerland and France, here are eight key things we learnt from the 2026 Tour de France Femmes<\/p>\n<aside data-component-name=\"Recirculation:ArticleRiver\" data-recirculation-type=\"inline\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"Trending Bar\" data-nosnippet class=\"clear-both pt-2 pb-0 mb-4\"><span class=\"\n            flex\n            after:content-[&apos;&apos;] after:flex-1 after:ml-4 after:my-[0.7rem] after:border-t after:border-solid after:border-t-[#ccc]\n            before:content-[&apos;&apos;] before:flex-1 before:mr-4 before:my-[0.7rem] before:border-t before:border-solid before:border-t-[#ccc]\n            font-article-heading pb-0 text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,1em)] uppercase sm:text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,0.875em)] font-bold\n        \"><br \/>\n            You may like<br \/>\n        <\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"flex flex-col gap-0 m-0 max-w-full\">\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-1\" id=\"recirculation-inline-1\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-1\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-1\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hwq4f3gy8aQDoDq83JVD5U-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hwq4f3gy8aQDoDq83JVD5U-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\">Eight conclusions from the Tour de France \u2013 A new Poga\u010dar, Evenepoel&#8217;s next challenge and questions over racing in July<\/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\/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-[#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\/ZCqBH6DWwkMG5yCAUhedBC-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZCqBH6DWwkMG5yCAUhedBC-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">&#8216;Extending it to two weeks would be a great step&#8217; \u2013 France&#8217;s lone Tour de France Femmes success story C\u00e9drine Kerbaol excited for race&#8217;s future expansion<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<h2 id=\"the-vollering-niewiadoma-phinney-rivalry-continues-but-it-s-far-from-predictable-3\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The Vollering &#8211; Niewiadoma-Phinney rivalry continues, but it\u2019s far from predictable<\/h2>\n<p id=\"elk-5e6df934-94ab-11f1-93eb-2ba7e55f2f4f\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Cycling, as we&#8217;ve seen proven time and again through the years, is a sport of generations. The Classics and the Grand Tours always bear witness to extended spells of dominance by a handful of riders before they naturally age out of contention and the next generation comes along.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">In recent years, the men&#8217;s Tour de France has been dominated by the Poga\u010dar &#8211; Vingegaard rivalry, the two men duking it over the yellow jersey year after year at a level well above their GC rivals.<\/p>\n<div id=\"slice-container-newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-BcGWdHmdosMrBz28R8rnfj\" class=\"slice-container newsletter-inbodyContent-slice newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-BcGWdHmdosMrBz28R8rnfj 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\">With the conclusion of the 2026 edition, the Tour de France Femmes can say that it&#8217;s firmly in the Vollering &#8211; Niewiadoma-Phinney era. The final three stages of this year&#8217;s race played host to a thrilling back-and-forth battle between the pair, with more contention than past years, too, after the events of stage 8. As things stand, they\u2019re the only riders to have stood on the podium of every edition of the Tour.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-2c8c6b50-94ae-11f1-9d0f-e3a4be5d02d2\" 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\/eyoWLCfAwzDvCecX6H6HBa-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/eyoWLCfAwzDvCecX6H6HBa-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/eyoWLCfAwzDvCecX6H6HBa-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/eyoWLCfAwzDvCecX6H6HBa-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/eyoWLCfAwzDvCecX6H6HBa-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/eyoWLCfAwzDvCecX6H6HBa-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\">Demi Vollering vs Kasia Niewiadoma-Phinney is the major rivalry of the the Tour de France Femmes <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-2c8c6bfa-94ae-11f1-9ca1-fd2ed503fb1a\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Both came into the race among the very top favourites for the yellow jersey, but with the likes of Pauline Ferrand-Pr\u00e9vot, Marlen Reusser, Elisa Longo Borghini, and more also racing, their success was far from a foregone conclusion.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Without wishing to constantly compare women&#8217;s and men&#8217;s racing, that simply isn&#8217;t the case at the men&#8217;s Tour, where few others beyond the &#8216;big two&#8217; stand a realistic shot at yellow. There are no such foregone conclusions at the Femmes, and we should be grateful for that. <em>(DO)<\/em><\/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\/FnrPiTxPi7MhH8v9XJnqub-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/FnrPiTxPi7MhH8v9XJnqub-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\">Pauline Ferrand-Pr\u00e9vot is nowhere near done, but don&#8217;t underestimate Marlen Reusser in yellow \u2013 Tour de France Femmes analysis<\/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\/RuyNbGWyNRynWWLuycEZQJ-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RuyNbGWyNRynWWLuycEZQJ-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\">Kasia Niewiadoma-Phinney reigns as queen of Mont Ventoux, but the Tour de France Femmes crown is still up for grabs\u00a0\u2013 Analysis<\/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\/4iFkHU65cMLh4S8iMhfQLS-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4iFkHU65cMLh4S8iMhfQLS-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\">As it happened: The favourites take control in final stage of the Tour de France Femmes<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<h2 id=\"pauline-ferrand-prevot-is-not-untouchable-in-fact-she-still-has-a-lot-to-learn-3\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Pauline Ferrand-Pr\u00e9vot is not untouchable \u2013 in fact she still has a lot to learn<\/h2>\n<p id=\"elk-2c8c6cd6-94ae-11f1-9696-b9573a7477b1\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">A year ago, Pauline Ferrand-Pr\u00e9vot was an unstoppable force as she sailed to her first Tour de France Femmes title, and I think we were all expecting a similar show of strength in this year&#8217;s edition. Vollering had had the more impressive season beforehand, sure, but PFP&#8217;s singular focus and unrivalled commitment to training and form was expected to bring her back to the Tour in fantastic shape.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">But instead, her race was pretty much a flop, rarely matching the level of the best riders, neither on the punchier stages, the time trial nor the long climb of Mont Ventoux before dropping out with a vague illness.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-2c8c6d44-94ae-11f1-9a60-4bfd7bd18e6f\" 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\/hSqcJUzJVs5biqzKSYfwQE-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hSqcJUzJVs5biqzKSYfwQE-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hSqcJUzJVs5biqzKSYfwQE-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hSqcJUzJVs5biqzKSYfwQE-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hSqcJUzJVs5biqzKSYfwQE-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hSqcJUzJVs5biqzKSYfwQE-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\">Reigning champion Pauline Ferrand-Pr\u00e9vot struggled during the race before withdrawing <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-2c8c6db2-94ae-11f1-845b-c1f8dd19eb8b\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The Frenchwoman was in good spirits and not frustrated by her performance, but this week has dispelled the idea that perhaps we had last year that if she puts her mind to something, she can do it at will. Clearly, the TT is still a major weakness that you have only been able to improve so much, and even her dialled training approach can fail her and bring her to the Tour without the level to compete.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Ferrand-Pr\u00e9vot has already achieved her major goal of winning the Tour and she&#8217;s still a legendary and decorated rider. However, after thinking last year that she could just pick an aim and achieve it straightforwardly, this year has reminded us that she is human and fallible, and even she still have areas to improve and learn. <em>(MP)<\/em><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"route-design-is-everything-3\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Route design is everything<\/h2>\n<p id=\"elk-2c8c6ede-94ae-11f1-8ba3-657e8d650fdb\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">It&#8217;s not controversial to say that this Tour de France Femmes was one of the best, if not the best, editions of the race in terms of excitement, intrigue and competition. But that wasn&#8217;t just down to the talented riders, most of whom have been here every year. It was also down to the route design.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">When the route was unveiled last autumn, it was clear that the route designers had gone big on difficulty, eschewing the flat sprint stages in favour of multiple one-day-style punchy routes and, crucially, a time trial. They opted for just one mountaintop finish on Ventoux, and a circuit race finale that could keep things alive to the final day.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">It was a little bit of a gamble, I think, because the race could have been signed, sealed and delivered on Ventoux on Friday and the final weekend could have been a bit anti-climactic, but actually, I think the organisers got it just right. They know the dynamics of cycling and they designed the route to reach a high point in its final few days.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-2c8c6f4c-94ae-11f1-9a04-4b480622682a\" 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\/tcihoLWp8gVQtohgnsNabE-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/tcihoLWp8gVQtohgnsNabE-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/tcihoLWp8gVQtohgnsNabE-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/tcihoLWp8gVQtohgnsNabE-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/tcihoLWp8gVQtohgnsNabE-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/tcihoLWp8gVQtohgnsNabE-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\">Tour organisers struck gold with a route which encouraged attacks <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-2c8c6fb0-94ae-11f1-a499-0126f6fee358\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">And that&#8217;s exactly what we got. The GC riders tested their legs as early as the first day in Lausanne, and took every single opportunity to race, be it on stage 5, Ventoux, or the Col d&#8217;Eze finale. The time trial also offered fantastic intrigue, bringing Marlen Reusser into the fight and ensuring the winner was a true all-rounder.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">By including punchy stages but only one big climb, the route ensured that there were time gaps and an extended GC fight, but the gaps were never once big enough to be considered done, not until Vollering crossed the line on Sunday.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Grand Tours will always have mountaintop finishes and sprint stages, but it&#8217;s what the route includes between those extremes which really makes the race, and this Tour got that utterly spot on. <em>(MP)<\/em><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"the-level-is-high-enough-to-add-more-stages-3\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The level is high enough to add more stages<\/h2>\n<p id=\"elk-2c8c70b4-94ae-11f1-ada4-9d47d039105c\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The topic of race expansion seems to be brought up year after year in women&#8217;s cycling, from the length of Classics and stages to the number of days featuring in a Grand Tour.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">This summer, after five years of the race, it seems barely believable that the Tour de France Femmes didn&#8217;t even exist before 2022, with the one-day La Course running as its predecessor since 2014.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Since its inception, the Tour has grown from eight stages in its first three years to nine stages in 2025 and 2026. This year&#8217;s was, by the numbers, the toughest edition yet, featuring 18,795 metres of elevation gain as three hours covered first to last places.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Is it time to add another stage? The final stages certainly left us wanting more, with exciting racing all the way to the finish line, and another mountain stage \u2013 not necessarily another summit finish \u2013 wouldn\u2019t have gone amiss.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-2c8c717c-94ae-11f1-93a0-b39e10f274a6\" 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\/XBmHuSqMcWuZyfB7V6jwQ8-1024-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/XBmHuSqMcWuZyfB7V6jwQ8-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/XBmHuSqMcWuZyfB7V6jwQ8-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/XBmHuSqMcWuZyfB7V6jwQ8-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/XBmHuSqMcWuZyfB7V6jwQ8-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/XBmHuSqMcWuZyfB7V6jwQ8-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">2026 Tour de France Femmes stage 7: the third chase group on the Mont Ventoux <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-2c8c71e0-94ae-11f1-8a4a-31a392bf7be3\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Women riders are often asked if they&#8217;d like to race three weeks, and C\u00e9drine Kerbaol, who finished sixth overall, told<em> L&#8217;Equipe<\/em> after the race that she&#8217;d be &#8220;very happy&#8221; if the Tour were expanded to that length, even if &#8220;my teammates don&#8217;t share that opinion.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Three weeks might be too far of a leap right now, but the level of competition at the Tour means that it could certainly expand to 10 or 11 days, or maybe even 12 with the addition of a rest day. The gradual expansion has worked so far, after all.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Meanwhile, in her closing press conference, Elisa Longo Borghini reminded us of the importance of supporting women&#8217;s racing at lower levels and the youth ranks, too.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;We are reaching a great level in general in cycling. What I would like to see is the base to be a little bit more wide, let&#8217;s say, and to not see small teams disappearing. Because otherwise we will not have a change of generation. Young girls will not have a chance to have experience,&#8221; she said.<em> (DO)<\/em><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"celia-gery-was-the-mvp-of-the-tour-3\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">C\u00e9lia Gery was the MVP of the Tour <\/h2>\n<p id=\"elk-ad6ffc00-94ae-11f1-860f-cd88eafc21c0\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">C\u00e9lia Gery&#8217;s debut Tour ended in a bit of a cloud as the 20-year-old found herself at the centre of drama and online nastiness after a racing clash with Kasia Niewiadoma-Phinney. But we shouldn&#8217;t forget that she was one of the most influential, important and strong riders of the entire race.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Juliette Berthet may have won the official, fan-voted teammate of the race prize, but honestly, I&#8217;d have given it to Gery. Only 20 this year, U23 World Champion Gery has already won the elite French National Championships and been entrusted to join Demi Vollering at two Grand Tours, and this week it was clear to see why. The Frenchwoman is so strong, often the last rider left with Vollering on the punchy stages, and really brave with her riding despite being one of the youngest riders in the bunch.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">You could argue that riders like Berthet and \u00c9vita Muzic had a slightly lacklustre race compared to previous years, though I&#8217;m sure they did important work that we didn&#8217;t always see. But Gery was always there, always making the race, and I don&#8217;t think Vollering could have won this race without her.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-ad6ffc78-94ae-11f1-9513-e30d08088788\" 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\/4V5UJA8x69b6TEXqXMGskD-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4V5UJA8x69b6TEXqXMGskD-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4V5UJA8x69b6TEXqXMGskD-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4V5UJA8x69b6TEXqXMGskD-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4V5UJA8x69b6TEXqXMGskD-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4V5UJA8x69b6TEXqXMGskD-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\">French champion C\u00e9lia Gery was a standout performer in service of Demi Vollering <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-ad6ffce6-94ae-11f1-99ce-f549ab3bdf64\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The other point of strength is that Gery did not get overexcited or drawn into her own ambitions, and every attack was smart and to the benefit of the team. And to be honest, that move on Niewiadoma-Phinney, whether she liked it or not, was a really bold one from Gery, a rider who is willing to fight tooth and nail for the win.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">As long as it&#8217;s legal, we shouldn&#8217;t punish that tenacity. She wasn&#8217;t rewarded with a stage win like she was at the Giro d&#8217;Italia, but she got to be part of the first French team to win the yellow jersey, and surely carved out her place in Tour teams for years to come. <em>(MP)<\/em><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"the-next-generation-is-waiting-in-the-wings-3\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The next generation is waiting in the wings<\/h2>\n<p id=\"elk-9feb0cf4-94af-11f1-aec8-b32770c9664d\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The main storyline of the Tour saw a host of established GC stars battle it out at the top of the standings. However, there were several standout performances from the next generation of riders who will inevitably be in a similar position in the years to come.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">In Nice, the final top 10 featured three riders aged 23 or under in Antonia Niedermaier, Paula Blasi, and Isabella Holmgren, with the former pair spending much of their race working for more experienced GC leaders in Niewiadoma-Phinney and Longo Borghini.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-9feb0d62-94af-11f1-9d6b-bffdefeed024\" 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\/RSZGtxv7SRQYuNRo6TCoUE-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RSZGtxv7SRQYuNRo6TCoUE-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RSZGtxv7SRQYuNRo6TCoUE-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RSZGtxv7SRQYuNRo6TCoUE-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RSZGtxv7SRQYuNRo6TCoUE-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RSZGtxv7SRQYuNRo6TCoUE-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\">Paula Blasi and Antonia Niedermaier were among the young riders to shine during the race <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-9feb0dc6-94af-11f1-8164-737bb6145afb\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">This time next year, both may be leading their own teams, if rumoured transfers are to be believed, with Niewiadoma-Phinney rumoured to be joining Holmgren at Lidl-Trek, and Blasi seemingly set for a Movistar switch.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">All three are already Grand Tour forces in their own right, and they\u2019re all still growing and improving as riders, too. Niedermaier took the white jersey home, while Blasi \u2013 second on the final stage \u2013 and Holmgren \u2013 launching a solo attack on the Col d\u2019Eze \u2013 both went out with a bang.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">You can also add 20-year-old Gery, immaculate in her service for Vollering at both Giro and Tour, and 25-year-old Niamh Fisher-Black, still on the rise as a GC racer, after her switch to Lidl-Trek last year, to the list. (<em>DO)<\/em><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"from-feast-to-famine-for-french-riders-3\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">From feast to famine for French riders<\/h2>\n<p id=\"elk-9feb0e98-94af-11f1-8e8c-6ba4d304fe69\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Last summer saw the home nation experience its most successful Tour de France Femmes yet as Pauline Ferrand-Pr\u00e9vot won France\u2019s first yellow jersey in decades while she and breakout star Ma\u00ebva Squiban shared four of the race\u2019s nine stages between them.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">This year, the end results for home riders made far bleaker reading, even if home team FDJ United-SUEZ took home the yellow jersey with Demi Vollering\u2019s second triumph.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Beyond the French squad\u2019s success, there was little to shout about for the masses of French fans at the roadside. EF Education-Oatly\u2019s Cedrine Kerbaol was the sole shining light as far as the general classification goes, improving on her eighth place last year to sixth this time around. She also took the home nation\u2019s only stage podium finish with a second place behind Kim Le Court-Pienaar in Tournon-sur-Rhone. <\/p>\n<p>Ferrand-Pr\u00e9vot, meanwhile, was well below the astonishing level she showed last year. The Visma-Lease a Bike leader lost two minutes in the time trial and two more in the hills the next stage before cracking altogether on Mont Ventoux and withdrawing with a reported illnes<strong>s <\/strong>the next morning.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-9feb0f06-94af-11f1-bbfd-dbb9209c5fbc\" 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\/BUimPp6GRd4nFzo3EGhD8m-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/BUimPp6GRd4nFzo3EGhD8m-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/BUimPp6GRd4nFzo3EGhD8m-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/BUimPp6GRd4nFzo3EGhD8m-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/BUimPp6GRd4nFzo3EGhD8m-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/BUimPp6GRd4nFzo3EGhD8m-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\">Home fans didn&#8217;t have a lot to cheer for as French riders largely failed to make an impact <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-9feb0f92-94af-11f1-951e-117b1e57e453\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">It\u2019s not all bad news for France, however \u2013 young guns C\u00e9lia Gery and Ferrand-Pr\u00e9vot\u2019s teammate, 21-year-old Marion Bunel who took third at La Vuelta, look certain to contest Grand Tours in the near future.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Then there\u2019s Ma\u00ebva Squiban, who switched from swashbuckling freelance attacker to domestique this year, though won\u2019t always be consigned to that role, and Ferrand-Pr\u00e9vot, who will surely be back to battle for another yellow jersey. <em>(DO)<\/em><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"the-appetite-and-viewership-for-full-tv-coverage-is-there-3\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The appetite and viewership for full TV coverage is there<\/h2>\n<p id=\"elk-8160893e-94b0-11f1-aa2a-c33bb14c8d8a\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Those of us who have been involved in women&#8217;s cycling for years have been banging on about TV coverage for ages, when we had to ask and fight for there to be any coverage at all of even the biggest races. Thanks to a combination of fan interest, investment and UCI rules, coverage of the Women&#8217;s WorldTour is now better than ever. But the Tour de France showed that viewers still want more \u2013 and that asking for more coverage is now a mainstream opinion, not the reserve of a select few women&#8217;s cycling obsessives.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The coverage this year was more extensive than ever, with three stages shown in full, but the racing convinced most of us that full coverage of every stage would be completely justified. Stage 3 seemed to be the most galvanising, with the two hours of live coverage meaning that we never got to see the winning attack from Sigrid Haugset (Uno-X Mobility), and reminding us that just showing the second half of a race is no longer enough.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-816089de-94b0-11f1-a420-15ea310ad6b7\" 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\/TwZ2JJ7XzHb8a7VqyGNBMP-1024-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/TwZ2JJ7XzHb8a7VqyGNBMP-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/TwZ2JJ7XzHb8a7VqyGNBMP-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/TwZ2JJ7XzHb8a7VqyGNBMP-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/TwZ2JJ7XzHb8a7VqyGNBMP-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/TwZ2JJ7XzHb8a7VqyGNBMP-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\">Tour de France Femmes race director Marion Rousse is hoping for full coverage of the race in future <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-81608a74-94b0-11f1-9730-4ba411575ab3\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Of course, there are financial considerations, and the broadcasters and organisers have to see the economics of such a move, but TV viewership this year is surely on the way to justifying such a move. Full figures aren&#8217;t out yet, but France TV said that over 2 million people watched the opening stage last Saturday, only 20% less than the figures for the opening men&#8217;s stage, and Dutch broadcaster NOS reported that viewing figures for the Ventoux stage exceeded viewership for all but two stages of the men&#8217;s race.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;I&#8217;ve discussed this at length with France T\u00e9l\u00e9visions and we\u2019re giving serious consideration to broadcasting all the stages in full in the future because the women deserve it, and because it works well in terms of audience figures,&#8221; race director Marion Rousse said on the topic. &#8220;We\u2019re currently giving it real consideration, which is a step forward. Things are moving in the right direction.\u201d<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Whether it&#8217;s full coverage next year or expanded coverage and flag-to-finish images in the future, Rousse is right that things are definitely going in the right direction. Coverage that matches the men&#8217;s race is already wanted, and is surely not far from being achievable. <em>(MP)<\/em><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-5e6dfa60-94ab-11f1-aa01-513d2736e4b9\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\"><em><strong>Support our unrivalled coverage of the Tour de France Femmes and women&#8217;s cycling by subscribing to Cyclingnews. In return, you get unlimited access to high-quality journalism, with breaking news, race analysis, and expert insight from inside the women&#8217;s peloton. Plus, the Cyclingnews app lets you follow the action wherever you go! <\/strong><\/em><u><em><strong>Join today.<\/strong><\/em><\/u><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"slice-container-authorBio-BcGWdHmdosMrBz28R8rnfj\" class=\"slice-container slice-author-bio authorBio-BcGWdHmdosMrBz28R8rnfj slice-container-authorBio\">\n<div class=\"author author__default-layout author--separator author--collapsible\" data-hydrate=\"true\">\n<div class=\"author__header\">\n<div class=\"author__avatar-block\">\n<figure class=\"image-wrapped__wrapper\" data-bordeaux-image-check=\"false\">\n<div class=\"image-wrapped__widthsetter\">\n<div class=\"image-wrapped__aspect-padding\">\n<div><source class=\"author__avatar image-wrapped__image image__image\" type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/PSRUchRz7RcBeXHn7hDvCh-140-80.jpg.webp 140w\" sizes=\"99vw\" data-normal=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/PSRUchRz7RcBeXHn7hDvCh.jpg\" data-original-mos=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/PSRUchRz7RcBeXHn7hDvCh.jpg\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/PSRUchRz7RcBeXHn7hDvCh.jpg\" data-pin-nopin=\"true\" data-slice-image=\"true\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__heading\">\n<div class=\"author__name\">Dani Ostanek<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__social\">\n<nav class=\"button-social-group author__social-buttons\" aria-labelledby=\"button-social-group- author__social-buttons\">\n<div id=\"button-social-group- author__social-buttons\">Social Links Navigation<\/div>\n<\/nav>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__role\">Senior News Writer<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__bio-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"author__biography\">\n<p>Dani Ostanek is Senior News Writer at Cyclingnews, having joined in 2017 as a freelance contributor, later being hired full-time. Her favourite races include Strade Bianche, the Tour de France Femmes, Paris-Roubaix, and Tro-Bro L\u00e9on.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<div class=\"relative max-w-[1070px] viafoura-twig-component mt-6 mx-4 lg:mx-0\" data-component-name=\"Viafoura:Comments\" data-nosnippet data-community-guidelines-text=\"&lt;p class=&apos;vfcustom-community-guidelines&apos;&gt;Please follow our &lt;a href=&quot;https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/about\/#section-community-guidelines&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;community guidelines&lt;\/a&gt;.&lt;\/p&gt;\" data-join-the-conversation-text=\"Join the Conversation\">\n<div class=\"absolute top-0 left-0 w-full h-full flex items-center justify-center z-50 bg-white\/90 border-1 rounded-b-[var(--comment-widget-border-radius,0)]\">\n<div class=\"p-2 text-center\">\n<p class=\"mb-3 text-lg!\">You must confirm your public display name before commenting<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-3 text-sm!\">Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<section class=\"mx-2 my-5 sm:mx-0\">\n<aside class=\"w-full\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-stacked\">\n<div data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-adviser:hybrid\">\n<div class=\"text-white py-4 px-3 mb-4 bg-[#333] uppercase font-bold custom-header-styles\">Read more<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid grid-cols-1 gap-4 mt-4 mb-5\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hwq4f3gy8aQDoDq83JVD5U-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hwq4f3gy8aQDoDq83JVD5U-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hwq4f3gy8aQDoDq83JVD5U-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hwq4f3gy8aQDoDq83JVD5U-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hwq4f3gy8aQDoDq83JVD5U-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\">Eight conclusions from the Tour de France \u2013 A new Poga\u010dar, Evenepoel&#8217;s next challenge and questions over racing in July<\/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\/ZCqBH6DWwkMG5yCAUhedBC-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZCqBH6DWwkMG5yCAUhedBC-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZCqBH6DWwkMG5yCAUhedBC-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZCqBH6DWwkMG5yCAUhedBC-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZCqBH6DWwkMG5yCAUhedBC-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;Extending it to two weeks would be a great step&#8217; \u2013 France&#8217;s lone Tour de France Femmes success story C\u00e9drine Kerbaol excited for race&#8217;s future expansion<\/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\/RuyNbGWyNRynWWLuycEZQJ-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RuyNbGWyNRynWWLuycEZQJ-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RuyNbGWyNRynWWLuycEZQJ-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RuyNbGWyNRynWWLuycEZQJ-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RuyNbGWyNRynWWLuycEZQJ-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\">Kasia Niewiadoma-Phinney reigns as queen of Mont Ventoux, but the Tour de France Femmes crown is still up for grabs\u00a0\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\/4iFkHU65cMLh4S8iMhfQLS-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4iFkHU65cMLh4S8iMhfQLS-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4iFkHU65cMLh4S8iMhfQLS-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4iFkHU65cMLh4S8iMhfQLS-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4iFkHU65cMLh4S8iMhfQLS-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\">As it happened: The favourites take control in final stage of the Tour de France Femmes<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\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\/gz4JkzFTwRkRJKxz5fjwTM-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/gz4JkzFTwRkRJKxz5fjwTM-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/gz4JkzFTwRkRJKxz5fjwTM-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/gz4JkzFTwRkRJKxz5fjwTM-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/gz4JkzFTwRkRJKxz5fjwTM-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\">Nicole Frain wins seventh race of season at Heathland Gravel, while fellow Australian sets FKT on Icelandic Divide &#8211; Gravel Bits<\/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\/ZCqBH6DWwkMG5yCAUhedBC-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZCqBH6DWwkMG5yCAUhedBC-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZCqBH6DWwkMG5yCAUhedBC-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZCqBH6DWwkMG5yCAUhedBC-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZCqBH6DWwkMG5yCAUhedBC-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;Extending it to two weeks would be a great step&#8217; \u2013 France&#8217;s lone Tour de France Femmes success story C\u00e9drine Kerbaol excited for race&#8217;s future expansion<\/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\/hZidVj7eMmRqjLVSxKW5rC-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hZidVj7eMmRqjLVSxKW5rC-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hZidVj7eMmRqjLVSxKW5rC-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hZidVj7eMmRqjLVSxKW5rC-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hZidVj7eMmRqjLVSxKW5rC-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\">Demi Vollering and FDJ the top earners as one team leaves penniless \u2013 Tour de France Femmes prize money wrapped<\/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\/VSedT282BgEAeFd5bWgv38-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/VSedT282BgEAeFd5bWgv38-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/VSedT282BgEAeFd5bWgv38-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/VSedT282BgEAeFd5bWgv38-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/VSedT282BgEAeFd5bWgv38-320-80.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 can make the race harder, but do we want to?&#8217; Tour de France Femmes director Marion Rousse backs variety over difficulty for future route design<\/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\/n79SrW7BWswec7z7KtRp4Z-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/n79SrW7BWswec7z7KtRp4Z-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/n79SrW7BWswec7z7KtRp4Z-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/n79SrW7BWswec7z7KtRp4Z-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/n79SrW7BWswec7z7KtRp4Z-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\">In Antonia Niedermaier, Canyon-SRAM have created the perfect successor to Kasia Niewiadoma-Phinney<\/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\/nDyVaKisUHk4n5RxCDmYD9-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/nDyVaKisUHk4n5RxCDmYD9-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/nDyVaKisUHk4n5RxCDmYD9-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/nDyVaKisUHk4n5RxCDmYD9-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/nDyVaKisUHk4n5RxCDmYD9-320-80.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;You never should think you&#8217;re &#8216;there&#8221; \u2013 Demi Vollering at her best and still improving with second Tour de France Femmes victory<\/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\/dyiMirtfoqNdMdnxyKG87H-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/dyiMirtfoqNdMdnxyKG87H-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/dyiMirtfoqNdMdnxyKG87H-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/dyiMirtfoqNdMdnxyKG87H-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/dyiMirtfoqNdMdnxyKG87H-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\">Road Bikes<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">What experienced cyclists notice first about a high-performance road bike<\/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\/gnK4nHJ4D4SqDEjxhfNGQh-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/gnK4nHJ4D4SqDEjxhfNGQh-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/gnK4nHJ4D4SqDEjxhfNGQh-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/gnK4nHJ4D4SqDEjxhfNGQh-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/gnK4nHJ4D4SqDEjxhfNGQh-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\">Cycling is a tactical game that takes superhuman power \u2013 Brodie Chapman&#8217;s Tour de France Femmes column<\/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\/RuyNbGWyNRynWWLuycEZQJ-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RuyNbGWyNRynWWLuycEZQJ-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RuyNbGWyNRynWWLuycEZQJ-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RuyNbGWyNRynWWLuycEZQJ-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RuyNbGWyNRynWWLuycEZQJ-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\">Kasia Niewiadoma-Phinney reigns as queen of Mont Ventoux, but the Tour de France Femmes crown is still up for grabs\u00a0\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\/SFTn6SXzXiMpdFPHSFxN4n-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/SFTn6SXzXiMpdFPHSFxN4n-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/SFTn6SXzXiMpdFPHSFxN4n-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/SFTn6SXzXiMpdFPHSFxN4n-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/SFTn6SXzXiMpdFPHSFxN4n-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;It&#8217;s just a mind trip&#8217; \u2013\u00a0Riders from the Tour de France Femmes peloton recount their racing experiences of Mont Ventoux<\/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\/rDW8Se9c6SxiWPeGQP87jk-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/rDW8Se9c6SxiWPeGQP87jk-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/rDW8Se9c6SxiWPeGQP87jk-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/rDW8Se9c6SxiWPeGQP87jk-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/rDW8Se9c6SxiWPeGQP87jk-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\">Despite &#8216;all the noise&#8217;, UAE Team L&#8217;IMAD&#8217;s multi-leader approach working but Mont Ventoux could change everything at the Tour de France Femmes<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/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>\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\/fM7aQj7cSaNscNYwLVNRDh-1280-80.jpg.webp 1280w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/fM7aQj7cSaNscNYwLVNRDh-720-80.jpg.webp 720w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/fM7aQj7cSaNscNYwLVNRDh-640-80.jpg.webp 640w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/fM7aQj7cSaNscNYwLVNRDh-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;My ambition is to become a consistent winner&#8217; &#8211; Pavel Bittner takes his talents to Pinarello-Q36.5 for next two seasons<\/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>Volta a Portugal: Julius Johansen wins stage 5 time trial for second victory the race<\/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>Parent company of Lapierre and Raleigh initiates insolvency proceedings, putting major brands at risk<\/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>Nicole Frain wins seventh race of season at Heathland Gravel, while fellow Australian sets FKT on Icelandic Divide &#8211; Gravel Bits<\/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;Extending it to two weeks would be a great step&#8217; \u2013 France&#8217;s lone Tour de France Femmes success story C\u00e9drine Kerbaol excited for race&#8217;s future expansion<\/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>Eight things we learnt from a spellbinding edition of the Tour de France Femmes<\/h1>\n<div class=\"byline-social\">\n<div class=\"vds-byline-block flex flex-row flex-nowrap my-1.5 gap-2 text-left items-start max-sm:flex-col 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, Dani Ostanek <\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"flex gap-1 vds-byline-with-avatar__meta\"><span class=\"vds-date block font-normal tracking-normal normal-case text-xs\"><br \/>\nPublished<br \/>\n<time data-component-name=\"UI:DateTime\" datetime=\"2026-08-10T12:01:22Z\" class=\"relative-date\"><br \/>\n10 August 2026<br \/>\n<\/time><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"strapline\">On their way home from Nice, the Cyclingnews team dissects the key aspects of one of the most memorable and entertaining stage races of 2026<\/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 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newsletter\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p id=\"elk-ea286f6e-94aa-11f1-b0aa-9d6bb1484aee\">After a fantastically entertaining final weekend in Nice, the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift is over for another year, and the latest winner has been crowned after a thrilling finale on the C\u00f4te d&#8217;Azur.<\/p>\n<p>Following a hard-fought battle that saw her win three stages but only take yellow on the penultimate day, Demi Vollering (FDJ United-SUEZ) became the first rider to win this race twice in the modern era, and brought the yellow jersey home to a French team for the first time.<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-ea286f6e-94aa-11f1-b0aa-9d6bb1484aee-2\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">In its fifth year of existence, the Tour de France Femmes somehow just keeps getting better, and this year was no exception, with a decisive and challenging time trial, a historic ascent of Mont Ventoux, and a perfectly-designed finale that kept the battle alive up until the very last hour of racing.<\/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\">We&#8217;ve covered the whole event in depth with news, analysis and exclusive interviews, but as the dust settles on this year&#8217;s edition, it&#8217;s time to look back on a truly fantastic nine days of racing, and what it means for its protagonists, the sport and the races still to come this year.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">After 10 days on the ground in Switzerland and France, here are eight key things we learnt from the 2026 Tour de France Femmes<\/p>\n<aside data-component-name=\"Recirculation:ArticleRiver\" data-recirculation-type=\"inline\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"Trending Bar\" data-nosnippet class=\"clear-both pt-2 pb-0 mb-4\"><span class=\"\n            flex\n            after:content-[&apos;&apos;] after:flex-1 after:ml-4 after:my-[0.7rem] after:border-t after:border-solid after:border-t-[#ccc]\n            before:content-[&apos;&apos;] before:flex-1 before:mr-4 before:my-[0.7rem] before:border-t before:border-solid before:border-t-[#ccc]\n            font-article-heading pb-0 text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,1em)] uppercase sm:text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,0.875em)] font-bold\n        \"><br \/>\n            You may like<br \/>\n        <\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"flex flex-col gap-0 m-0 max-w-full\">\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-1\" id=\"recirculation-inline-1\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-1\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-1\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hwq4f3gy8aQDoDq83JVD5U-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hwq4f3gy8aQDoDq83JVD5U-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\">Eight conclusions from the Tour de France \u2013 A new Poga\u010dar, Evenepoel&#8217;s next challenge and questions over racing in July<\/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\/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-[#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\/ZCqBH6DWwkMG5yCAUhedBC-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZCqBH6DWwkMG5yCAUhedBC-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">&#8216;Extending it to two weeks would be a great step&#8217; \u2013 France&#8217;s lone Tour de France Femmes success story C\u00e9drine Kerbaol excited for race&#8217;s future expansion<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<h2 id=\"the-vollering-niewiadoma-phinney-rivalry-continues-but-it-s-far-from-predictable-3\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The Vollering &#8211; Niewiadoma-Phinney rivalry continues, but it\u2019s far from predictable<\/h2>\n<p id=\"elk-5e6df934-94ab-11f1-93eb-2ba7e55f2f4f\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Cycling, as we&#8217;ve seen proven time and again through the years, is a sport of generations. The Classics and the Grand Tours always bear witness to extended spells of dominance by a handful of riders before they naturally age out of contention and the next generation comes along.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">In recent years, the men&#8217;s Tour de France has been dominated by the Poga\u010dar &#8211; Vingegaard rivalry, the two men duking it over the yellow jersey year after year at a level well above their GC rivals.<\/p>\n<div id=\"slice-container-newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-BcGWdHmdosMrBz28R8rnfj\" class=\"slice-container newsletter-inbodyContent-slice newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-BcGWdHmdosMrBz28R8rnfj 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\">With the conclusion of the 2026 edition, the Tour de France Femmes can say that it&#8217;s firmly in the Vollering &#8211; Niewiadoma-Phinney era. The final three stages of this year&#8217;s race played host to a thrilling back-and-forth battle between the pair, with more contention than past years, too, after the events of stage 8. As things stand, they\u2019re the only riders to have stood on the podium of every edition of the Tour.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-2c8c6b50-94ae-11f1-9d0f-e3a4be5d02d2\" 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\/eyoWLCfAwzDvCecX6H6HBa-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/eyoWLCfAwzDvCecX6H6HBa-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/eyoWLCfAwzDvCecX6H6HBa-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/eyoWLCfAwzDvCecX6H6HBa-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/eyoWLCfAwzDvCecX6H6HBa-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/eyoWLCfAwzDvCecX6H6HBa-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\">Demi Vollering vs Kasia Niewiadoma-Phinney is the major rivalry of the the Tour de France Femmes <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-2c8c6bfa-94ae-11f1-9ca1-fd2ed503fb1a\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Both came into the race among the very top favourites for the yellow jersey, but with the likes of Pauline Ferrand-Pr\u00e9vot, Marlen Reusser, Elisa Longo Borghini, and more also racing, their success was far from a foregone conclusion.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Without wishing to constantly compare women&#8217;s and men&#8217;s racing, that simply isn&#8217;t the case at the men&#8217;s Tour, where few others beyond the &#8216;big two&#8217; stand a realistic shot at yellow. There are no such foregone conclusions at the Femmes, and we should be grateful for that. <em>(DO)<\/em><\/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\/FnrPiTxPi7MhH8v9XJnqub-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/FnrPiTxPi7MhH8v9XJnqub-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\">Pauline Ferrand-Pr\u00e9vot is nowhere near done, but don&#8217;t underestimate Marlen Reusser in yellow \u2013 Tour de France Femmes analysis<\/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\/RuyNbGWyNRynWWLuycEZQJ-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RuyNbGWyNRynWWLuycEZQJ-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\">Kasia Niewiadoma-Phinney reigns as queen of Mont Ventoux, but the Tour de France Femmes crown is still up for grabs\u00a0\u2013 Analysis<\/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\/4iFkHU65cMLh4S8iMhfQLS-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4iFkHU65cMLh4S8iMhfQLS-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\">As it happened: The favourites take control in final stage of the Tour de France Femmes<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<h2 id=\"pauline-ferrand-prevot-is-not-untouchable-in-fact-she-still-has-a-lot-to-learn-3\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Pauline Ferrand-Pr\u00e9vot is not untouchable \u2013 in fact she still has a lot to learn<\/h2>\n<p id=\"elk-2c8c6cd6-94ae-11f1-9696-b9573a7477b1\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">A year ago, Pauline Ferrand-Pr\u00e9vot was an unstoppable force as she sailed to her first Tour de France Femmes title, and I think we were all expecting a similar show of strength in this year&#8217;s edition. Vollering had had the more impressive season beforehand, sure, but PFP&#8217;s singular focus and unrivalled commitment to training and form was expected to bring her back to the Tour in fantastic shape.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">But instead, her race was pretty much a flop, rarely matching the level of the best riders, neither on the punchier stages, the time trial nor the long climb of Mont Ventoux before dropping out with a vague illness.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-2c8c6d44-94ae-11f1-9a60-4bfd7bd18e6f\" 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\/hSqcJUzJVs5biqzKSYfwQE-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hSqcJUzJVs5biqzKSYfwQE-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hSqcJUzJVs5biqzKSYfwQE-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hSqcJUzJVs5biqzKSYfwQE-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hSqcJUzJVs5biqzKSYfwQE-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hSqcJUzJVs5biqzKSYfwQE-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\">Reigning champion Pauline Ferrand-Pr\u00e9vot struggled during the race before withdrawing <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-2c8c6db2-94ae-11f1-845b-c1f8dd19eb8b\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The Frenchwoman was in good spirits and not frustrated by her performance, but this week has dispelled the idea that perhaps we had last year that if she puts her mind to something, she can do it at will. Clearly, the TT is still a major weakness that you have only been able to improve so much, and even her dialled training approach can fail her and bring her to the Tour without the level to compete.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Ferrand-Pr\u00e9vot has already achieved her major goal of winning the Tour and she&#8217;s still a legendary and decorated rider. However, after thinking last year that she could just pick an aim and achieve it straightforwardly, this year has reminded us that she is human and fallible, and even she still have areas to improve and learn. <em>(MP)<\/em><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"route-design-is-everything-3\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Route design is everything<\/h2>\n<p id=\"elk-2c8c6ede-94ae-11f1-8ba3-657e8d650fdb\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">It&#8217;s not controversial to say that this Tour de France Femmes was one of the best, if not the best, editions of the race in terms of excitement, intrigue and competition. But that wasn&#8217;t just down to the talented riders, most of whom have been here every year. It was also down to the route design.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">When the route was unveiled last autumn, it was clear that the route designers had gone big on difficulty, eschewing the flat sprint stages in favour of multiple one-day-style punchy routes and, crucially, a time trial. They opted for just one mountaintop finish on Ventoux, and a circuit race finale that could keep things alive to the final day.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">It was a little bit of a gamble, I think, because the race could have been signed, sealed and delivered on Ventoux on Friday and the final weekend could have been a bit anti-climactic, but actually, I think the organisers got it just right. They know the dynamics of cycling and they designed the route to reach a high point in its final few days.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-2c8c6f4c-94ae-11f1-9a04-4b480622682a\" 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\/tcihoLWp8gVQtohgnsNabE-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/tcihoLWp8gVQtohgnsNabE-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/tcihoLWp8gVQtohgnsNabE-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/tcihoLWp8gVQtohgnsNabE-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/tcihoLWp8gVQtohgnsNabE-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/tcihoLWp8gVQtohgnsNabE-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\">Tour organisers struck gold with a route which encouraged attacks <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-2c8c6fb0-94ae-11f1-a499-0126f6fee358\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">And that&#8217;s exactly what we got. The GC riders tested their legs as early as the first day in Lausanne, and took every single opportunity to race, be it on stage 5, Ventoux, or the Col d&#8217;Eze finale. The time trial also offered fantastic intrigue, bringing Marlen Reusser into the fight and ensuring the winner was a true all-rounder.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">By including punchy stages but only one big climb, the route ensured that there were time gaps and an extended GC fight, but the gaps were never once big enough to be considered done, not until Vollering crossed the line on Sunday.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Grand Tours will always have mountaintop finishes and sprint stages, but it&#8217;s what the route includes between those extremes which really makes the race, and this Tour got that utterly spot on. <em>(MP)<\/em><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"the-level-is-high-enough-to-add-more-stages-3\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The level is high enough to add more stages<\/h2>\n<p id=\"elk-2c8c70b4-94ae-11f1-ada4-9d47d039105c\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The topic of race expansion seems to be brought up year after year in women&#8217;s cycling, from the length of Classics and stages to the number of days featuring in a Grand Tour.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">This summer, after five years of the race, it seems barely believable that the Tour de France Femmes didn&#8217;t even exist before 2022, with the one-day La Course running as its predecessor since 2014.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Since its inception, the Tour has grown from eight stages in its first three years to nine stages in 2025 and 2026. This year&#8217;s was, by the numbers, the toughest edition yet, featuring 18,795 metres of elevation gain as three hours covered first to last places.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Is it time to add another stage? The final stages certainly left us wanting more, with exciting racing all the way to the finish line, and another mountain stage \u2013 not necessarily another summit finish \u2013 wouldn\u2019t have gone amiss.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-2c8c717c-94ae-11f1-93a0-b39e10f274a6\" 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\/XBmHuSqMcWuZyfB7V6jwQ8-1024-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/XBmHuSqMcWuZyfB7V6jwQ8-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/XBmHuSqMcWuZyfB7V6jwQ8-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/XBmHuSqMcWuZyfB7V6jwQ8-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/XBmHuSqMcWuZyfB7V6jwQ8-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/XBmHuSqMcWuZyfB7V6jwQ8-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">2026 Tour de France Femmes stage 7: the third chase group on the Mont Ventoux <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-2c8c71e0-94ae-11f1-8a4a-31a392bf7be3\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Women riders are often asked if they&#8217;d like to race three weeks, and C\u00e9drine Kerbaol, who finished sixth overall, told<em> L&#8217;Equipe<\/em> after the race that she&#8217;d be &#8220;very happy&#8221; if the Tour were expanded to that length, even if &#8220;my teammates don&#8217;t share that opinion.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Three weeks might be too far of a leap right now, but the level of competition at the Tour means that it could certainly expand to 10 or 11 days, or maybe even 12 with the addition of a rest day. The gradual expansion has worked so far, after all.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Meanwhile, in her closing press conference, Elisa Longo Borghini reminded us of the importance of supporting women&#8217;s racing at lower levels and the youth ranks, too.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;We are reaching a great level in general in cycling. What I would like to see is the base to be a little bit more wide, let&#8217;s say, and to not see small teams disappearing. Because otherwise we will not have a change of generation. Young girls will not have a chance to have experience,&#8221; she said.<em> (DO)<\/em><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"celia-gery-was-the-mvp-of-the-tour-3\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">C\u00e9lia Gery was the MVP of the Tour <\/h2>\n<p id=\"elk-ad6ffc00-94ae-11f1-860f-cd88eafc21c0\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">C\u00e9lia Gery&#8217;s debut Tour ended in a bit of a cloud as the 20-year-old found herself at the centre of drama and online nastiness after a racing clash with Kasia Niewiadoma-Phinney. But we shouldn&#8217;t forget that she was one of the most influential, important and strong riders of the entire race.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Juliette Berthet may have won the official, fan-voted teammate of the race prize, but honestly, I&#8217;d have given it to Gery. Only 20 this year, U23 World Champion Gery has already won the elite French National Championships and been entrusted to join Demi Vollering at two Grand Tours, and this week it was clear to see why. The Frenchwoman is so strong, often the last rider left with Vollering on the punchy stages, and really brave with her riding despite being one of the youngest riders in the bunch.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">You could argue that riders like Berthet and \u00c9vita Muzic had a slightly lacklustre race compared to previous years, though I&#8217;m sure they did important work that we didn&#8217;t always see. But Gery was always there, always making the race, and I don&#8217;t think Vollering could have won this race without her.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-ad6ffc78-94ae-11f1-9513-e30d08088788\" 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\/4V5UJA8x69b6TEXqXMGskD-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4V5UJA8x69b6TEXqXMGskD-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4V5UJA8x69b6TEXqXMGskD-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4V5UJA8x69b6TEXqXMGskD-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4V5UJA8x69b6TEXqXMGskD-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4V5UJA8x69b6TEXqXMGskD-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\">French champion C\u00e9lia Gery was a standout performer in service of Demi Vollering <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-ad6ffce6-94ae-11f1-99ce-f549ab3bdf64\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The other point of strength is that Gery did not get overexcited or drawn into her own ambitions, and every attack was smart and to the benefit of the team. And to be honest, that move on Niewiadoma-Phinney, whether she liked it or not, was a really bold one from Gery, a rider who is willing to fight tooth and nail for the win.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">As long as it&#8217;s legal, we shouldn&#8217;t punish that tenacity. She wasn&#8217;t rewarded with a stage win like she was at the Giro d&#8217;Italia, but she got to be part of the first French team to win the yellow jersey, and surely carved out her place in Tour teams for years to come. <em>(MP)<\/em><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"the-next-generation-is-waiting-in-the-wings-3\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The next generation is waiting in the wings<\/h2>\n<p id=\"elk-9feb0cf4-94af-11f1-aec8-b32770c9664d\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The main storyline of the Tour saw a host of established GC stars battle it out at the top of the standings. However, there were several standout performances from the next generation of riders who will inevitably be in a similar position in the years to come.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">In Nice, the final top 10 featured three riders aged 23 or under in Antonia Niedermaier, Paula Blasi, and Isabella Holmgren, with the former pair spending much of their race working for more experienced GC leaders in Niewiadoma-Phinney and Longo Borghini.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-9feb0d62-94af-11f1-9d6b-bffdefeed024\" 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\/RSZGtxv7SRQYuNRo6TCoUE-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RSZGtxv7SRQYuNRo6TCoUE-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RSZGtxv7SRQYuNRo6TCoUE-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RSZGtxv7SRQYuNRo6TCoUE-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RSZGtxv7SRQYuNRo6TCoUE-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RSZGtxv7SRQYuNRo6TCoUE-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\">Paula Blasi and Antonia Niedermaier were among the young riders to shine during the race <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-9feb0dc6-94af-11f1-8164-737bb6145afb\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">This time next year, both may be leading their own teams, if rumoured transfers are to be believed, with Niewiadoma-Phinney rumoured to be joining Holmgren at Lidl-Trek, and Blasi seemingly set for a Movistar switch.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">All three are already Grand Tour forces in their own right, and they\u2019re all still growing and improving as riders, too. Niedermaier took the white jersey home, while Blasi \u2013 second on the final stage \u2013 and Holmgren \u2013 launching a solo attack on the Col d\u2019Eze \u2013 both went out with a bang.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">You can also add 20-year-old Gery, immaculate in her service for Vollering at both Giro and Tour, and 25-year-old Niamh Fisher-Black, still on the rise as a GC racer, after her switch to Lidl-Trek last year, to the list. (<em>DO)<\/em><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"from-feast-to-famine-for-french-riders-3\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">From feast to famine for French riders<\/h2>\n<p id=\"elk-9feb0e98-94af-11f1-8e8c-6ba4d304fe69\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Last summer saw the home nation experience its most successful Tour de France Femmes yet as Pauline Ferrand-Pr\u00e9vot won France\u2019s first yellow jersey in decades while she and breakout star Ma\u00ebva Squiban shared four of the race\u2019s nine stages between them.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">This year, the end results for home riders made far bleaker reading, even if home team FDJ United-SUEZ took home the yellow jersey with Demi Vollering\u2019s second triumph.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Beyond the French squad\u2019s success, there was little to shout about for the masses of French fans at the roadside. EF Education-Oatly\u2019s Cedrine Kerbaol was the sole shining light as far as the general classification goes, improving on her eighth place last year to sixth this time around. She also took the home nation\u2019s only stage podium finish with a second place behind Kim Le Court-Pienaar in Tournon-sur-Rhone. <\/p>\n<p>Ferrand-Pr\u00e9vot, meanwhile, was well below the astonishing level she showed last year. The Visma-Lease a Bike leader lost two minutes in the time trial and two more in the hills the next stage before cracking altogether on Mont Ventoux and withdrawing with a reported illnes<strong>s <\/strong>the next morning.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-9feb0f06-94af-11f1-bbfd-dbb9209c5fbc\" 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\/BUimPp6GRd4nFzo3EGhD8m-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/BUimPp6GRd4nFzo3EGhD8m-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/BUimPp6GRd4nFzo3EGhD8m-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/BUimPp6GRd4nFzo3EGhD8m-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/BUimPp6GRd4nFzo3EGhD8m-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/BUimPp6GRd4nFzo3EGhD8m-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\">Home fans didn&#8217;t have a lot to cheer for as French riders largely failed to make an impact <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-9feb0f92-94af-11f1-951e-117b1e57e453\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">It\u2019s not all bad news for France, however \u2013 young guns C\u00e9lia Gery and Ferrand-Pr\u00e9vot\u2019s teammate, 21-year-old Marion Bunel who took third at La Vuelta, look certain to contest Grand Tours in the near future.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Then there\u2019s Ma\u00ebva Squiban, who switched from swashbuckling freelance attacker to domestique this year, though won\u2019t always be consigned to that role, and Ferrand-Pr\u00e9vot, who will surely be back to battle for another yellow jersey. <em>(DO)<\/em><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"the-appetite-and-viewership-for-full-tv-coverage-is-there-3\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The appetite and viewership for full TV coverage is there<\/h2>\n<p id=\"elk-8160893e-94b0-11f1-aa2a-c33bb14c8d8a\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Those of us who have been involved in women&#8217;s cycling for years have been banging on about TV coverage for ages, when we had to ask and fight for there to be any coverage at all of even the biggest races. Thanks to a combination of fan interest, investment and UCI rules, coverage of the Women&#8217;s WorldTour is now better than ever. But the Tour de France showed that viewers still want more \u2013 and that asking for more coverage is now a mainstream opinion, not the reserve of a select few women&#8217;s cycling obsessives.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The coverage this year was more extensive than ever, with three stages shown in full, but the racing convinced most of us that full coverage of every stage would be completely justified. Stage 3 seemed to be the most galvanising, with the two hours of live coverage meaning that we never got to see the winning attack from Sigrid Haugset (Uno-X Mobility), and reminding us that just showing the second half of a race is no longer enough.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-816089de-94b0-11f1-a420-15ea310ad6b7\" 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\/TwZ2JJ7XzHb8a7VqyGNBMP-1024-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/TwZ2JJ7XzHb8a7VqyGNBMP-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/TwZ2JJ7XzHb8a7VqyGNBMP-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/TwZ2JJ7XzHb8a7VqyGNBMP-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/TwZ2JJ7XzHb8a7VqyGNBMP-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/TwZ2JJ7XzHb8a7VqyGNBMP-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\">Tour de France Femmes race director Marion Rousse is hoping for full coverage of the race in future <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-81608a74-94b0-11f1-9730-4ba411575ab3\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Of course, there are financial considerations, and the broadcasters and organisers have to see the economics of such a move, but TV viewership this year is surely on the way to justifying such a move. Full figures aren&#8217;t out yet, but France TV said that over 2 million people watched the opening stage last Saturday, only 20% less than the figures for the opening men&#8217;s stage, and Dutch broadcaster NOS reported that viewing figures for the Ventoux stage exceeded viewership for all but two stages of the men&#8217;s race.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;I&#8217;ve discussed this at length with France T\u00e9l\u00e9visions and we\u2019re giving serious consideration to broadcasting all the stages in full in the future because the women deserve it, and because it works well in terms of audience figures,&#8221; race director Marion Rousse said on the topic. &#8220;We\u2019re currently giving it real consideration, which is a step forward. Things are moving in the right direction.\u201d<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Whether it&#8217;s full coverage next year or expanded coverage and flag-to-finish images in the future, Rousse is right that things are definitely going in the right direction. Coverage that matches the men&#8217;s race is already wanted, and is surely not far from being achievable. <em>(MP)<\/em><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-5e6dfa60-94ab-11f1-aa01-513d2736e4b9\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\"><em><strong>Support our unrivalled coverage of the Tour de France Femmes and women&#8217;s cycling by subscribing to Cyclingnews. In return, you get unlimited access to high-quality journalism, with breaking news, race analysis, and expert insight from inside the women&#8217;s peloton. Plus, the Cyclingnews app lets you follow the action wherever you go! <\/strong><\/em><u><em><strong>Join today.<\/strong><\/em><\/u><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>[analyse_source url=&#8221;https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/pro-cycling\/womens-cycling\/eight-things-we-learnt-from-a-dramatic-edition-of-the-tour-de-france-femmes\/&#8221;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/TwZ2JJ7XzHb8a7VqyGNBMP-1024-80.jpghttps:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/fi6bBEBeasu8L5bpENYzBd-1024-80.jpg&#8221;] 1 As it happened: Mont Ventoux inspires a historic solo win and shakes-up the 2026 Tour de France Femmes GC battle 2 As it happened: GC riders battle it out as race lead changes yet again on Tour de France Femmes stage 8 3 As it happened: The favourites take control in [&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-2087080","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\/2087080","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=2087080"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2087080\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2087080"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2087080"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2087080"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}