Dutch cyclist Marianne Vos celebrated a remarkable achievement by winning the first stage of the Tour de France Femmes, marking her 258th career victory. In a thrilling finish, Vos overtook her fellow Visma-Lease a Bike team-mate, Pauline Ferrand-Prevot, in the closing moments of the 78.8km race, which commenced in Vannes and concluded with a challenging climb on the Cote de Cadoudal in Plumelec.
Vos finished strong, ahead of Mauritian competitor Kim Le Court-Pienaar, with Ferrand-Prevot taking home third place. The 38-year-old expressed her joy at claiming the yellow jersey, stating it was “really special.” She proudly noted, “It’s the Tour de France, it’s the first day, you really can’t describe what it means.”
Defending champion Katarzyna Niewiadoma Phinney had a solid performance, finishing fourth. However, the race took a turn when Swiss rider Marlen Reusser, anticipated as a strong contender after her impressive runner-up finishes at both the Giro d’Italia and the Vuelta, was forced to abandon due to stomach issues resulting from a crash during the stage.
Looking ahead, the excitement continues as the second stage will take a 110.4km route from Brest to Quimper, promising more thrilling action in this prestigious cycling event. This year’s competition has showcased the resilience and competitive spirit of female cyclists, highlighting the growing prominence of women in the sport.