Katarzyna Niewiadoma of Poland and Team CANYON//SRAM zondacrypto and Pauline Ferrand-Prevot of France and Team Visma | Lease a Bike prior to the 4th Tour de France Femmes 2025, Stage 1 a 78.8km stage from Vannes to Plumelec / #UCIWWT / on July 26, 2025 in Vannes, France. (Photo by Szymon Gruchalski/Getty Images)” width=”2400″ height=”1863″/>Niewiadoma and Ferrand-Prรฉvot Positioned for GC Battle in Tour de France Femmes
As the Tour de France Femmes continues, riders Katarzyna Niewiadoma (CANYON//SRAM zondacrypto) and Pauline Ferrand-Prรฉvot (Visma | Lease a Bike) are strategically positioned to contend for the General Classification. Both riders, who are friends off the bike, are closely trailing the race leaders, wiht Niewiadoma six seconds back and Ferrand-Prรฉvot ten seconds behind.
While the upcoming flatter stages are unlikely to offer significant time gains for these climbers, the race dynamics are expected to shift in their favor from stage 5 onwards. This bodes well for Niewiadoma and Ferrand-Prรฉvot,both recognized for their climbing prowess. Ferrand-Prรฉvot’s recent victory at Liรจge-Bastogne-Liรจge earlier this year demonstrates her strong form on hilly terrain.
Ferrand-Prรฉvot, who returned to road racing with the Tour de France Femmes as a key objective after a period in off-road disciplines, expressed satisfaction with her performance thus far. “Despite a hectic start, we got through the day well. My goal was not to lose any time today, and I certainly succeeded in that,” she stated. “It’s a shame we couldn’t quite make a bid for the stage win, but there will undoubtedly be more opportunities.”
Niewiadoma also conveyed contentment with her race start, having secured fourth and sixth place in the initial stages.This performance indicates strong current form. Reflecting on her efforts,Niewiadoma commented,”I definitely feel in shape. Sometimes when your legs are going nicely, it happens. You wont to be in front, you want have a good position.” She described her role in the final kilometers of a recent stage, explaining her intention to bring teammate Chloe Dygert forward for a potential attack. Dygert’s subsequent attack on the climb, though unsuccessful in distancing rivals, highlighted the team’s strategy.
Niewiadoma finished sixth in that stage, one place ahead of the 2023 Tour de France Femmes winner, Demi Vollering (FDJ-Suez).Niewiadoma expressed increased happiness with her position and the team’s cohesion, noting, “I am feeling happier. Because also we are feeling really dialed as a team. It was nice to feel that we are in it together and everyone was super committed and ready for the fight.”
The competition is set to continue on the upcoming stage to Angers.With two stages completed and seven remaining, the Tour de France Femmes promises further intense racing and strategic battles for the overall victory.