The Tour de France Femmes will include an ascent of Mont Ventoux for the first time in its 2026 edition. The race, which starts in Lausanne, Switzerland, will cover 1,175km over nine stages, marking the most stages since its return to the World Tour calendar in 2022.
The iconic climb up Mont Ventoux, to the telecommunications and meteorological tower atop Provence’s Mont Ventoux, will be a key feature of stage seven. This mountain stage has a significant history in the men’s Tour de France, with past winners including Eddy Merckx, Marco Pantani, and Chris Froome. The climb has also been associated with challenging moments, such as the death of British cyclist Tom Simpson in 1967.
Key Contenders and British Hopes
Pauline Ferrand-Prevot of Visma Lease a Bike, last year’s winner, will aim to repeat her success. She has prepared for the challenge of Mont Ventoux by climbing it multiple times. Ferrand-Prevot, who returned to road cycling in 2025, became the first Frenchwoman to win the race since Jeannie Longo in 1989. She is known for her climbing ability and versatility across different terrains.
Among her rivals is the Netherlands’ Demi Vollering of FDJ-Suez United, who won the race in 2023 and finished second in 2022, 2024, and 2025. Kasia Niewiadoma-Phinney of Canyon-SRAM, who won the Tour in 2024 and placed third in 2025, is another strong contender. Niewiadoma-Phinney has been on the podium in all four editions of the race.
British hopes include Zoe Backstedt, making her Tour debut with Canyon-SRAM. The 21-year-old Welsh rider has achieved seven wins this season and will target the stage four time trial in Dijon, while also supporting her team-mate’s general classification ambitions. Her sister, Elynor Backstedt of UAE Team L’imad, will also participate. Other British riders include Pfeiffer Georgi and Josie Nelson of Picnic-PostNL, Alice Towers of EF Education-Oatly, and Millie Couzens of Fenix-Premier Tech, and Robyn Clay of Picnic-PostNL.
Cat Ferguson of Movistar, 20 years old, will miss her debut due to two ankle fractures.
Race Development and Fan Engagement
Marion Rousse, the race director for the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift, has been instrumental in the event’s revival since taking the reins in 2021. Rousse, a former national road champion in 2012, believes the race is crucial for the evolution of women’s cycling, attracting large audiences and sponsors.
The growth of the race has been rapid, with Rousse noting that the number of spectators roadside is comparable to the men’s Tour. She emphasizes the importance of a well-designed route to maintain the prestige of the event. The race aims to connect professional racing with the grassroots community, particularly for women cyclists.
On stage seven, a significant fan gathering known as the Cheer Squad, coordinated by former pro racer Iris Slappendel, will take place at the Fontaine de La Grave, approximately 4.7 km from the summit of Mont Ventoux.
The Tour de France Femmes has seen four different winners in its editions, which Rousse considers a positive development. One memorable moment for her was the start on the Champs-Élysées in 2022, signifying a major milestone for women’s cycling. Another highlight was the close finish between Kasia Niewiadoma and Demi Vollering at Alpe d’Huez in 2024, separated by only four seconds.
The 2026 Tour de France Femmes will begin on a Saturday in Lausanne, Switzerland.
Source: bbc.co.uk