Fisher-Black Shines in Tour de France Femmes Finale

Kiwi Climber Secures Fifth Overall After Grueling Race

The Lidl-Trek squad navigated a challenging Tour de France Femmes, facing early setbacks that shifted their focus to showcasing climber Niamh Fisher-Black‘s talent in the mountains.

Early Setbacks Plague Lidl-Trek

The team’s dual strategy, targeting sprint finishes with Elisa Balsamo and supporting Niamh Fisher-Black in the climbs, was immediately tested. Balsamo encountered misfortune, being boxed in on stage two and caught in a crash on stage three, ultimately ending her campaign early on stage five.

Further compounding the team’s challenges, Fisher-Black suffered a significant time loss due to a puncture in the closing kilometer of stage six, jeopardizing her general classification ambitions.

Fisher-Black’s Climb to Prominence

With Balsamo out, Lidl-Trek rallied, shifting their focus to breakaway opportunities. Shirin Van Anrooij seized an opportunity on stage seven, known for its breakaway potential, finishing fourth after a strong effort.

Stage eight presented the formidable Col de la Madeleine. Positioned 15th overall, Fisher-Black was granted freedom to join the day’s escape. With crucial assistance from teammate Riejanne Markus to reach the base of the climb with an advantage, Fisher-Black dug deep. She ultimately finished third on the stage, only surpassed by race leaders Ferrand-Prevot and Gigante.

Strong Finish Secures Top GC Spot

The final stage to Châtel saw Fisher-Black maintain her strong climbing form, crossing the finish line in fourth place. This performance elevated her to fifth in the overall General Classification, marking a significant breakthrough Grand Tour for the New Zealand talent.

“Before the start of the race, I had some good ambitions. I wasn’t necessarily looking at the GC but I just wanted to see what I could do. Unfortunately we had some bad luck and didn’t all have the best of days this week but I really happy because two days ago I really didn’t think I’d finish the Tour de France Femmes in fifth on GC. It was all day on the pedals everyday and I really like when races are raced like this.”

—Niamh Fisher-Black

Fisher-Black‘s fifth-place finish comes after a race characterized by aggressive riding, mirroring the demanding nature of the Tour. For comparison, in the 2023 Tour de France Femmes, the top five riders finished within two minutes of each other, highlighting the tight competition in modern women’s cycling (Source: Tour de France Femmes Official Website, 2023). Her performance signifies a promising step forward in her developing career.