The 2026 Tour de France Femmes will mark a shift in representation for athletes from Australia and New Zealand, with a smaller contingent of riders than in previous years. Only seven cyclists from these southern hemisphere countries will take their places on the start line in Switzerland, down from the 11 who competed in the last edition. While the number of participants has declined, the potential for success remains, as several riders have already shown strong capabilities in the field.
Among the returning faces is Niamh Fisher-Black, who will ride for Lidl-Trek with clear ambitions in the general classification. Last year, she secured a top-six finish, a performance that demonstrated her consistency and readiness to challenge for major results. Fisher-Black’s presence adds depth to the Australian team, while Ruby Roseman-Gannon, also returning with Liv AlUla Jayco, brings valuable experience and strength to her squad.
Newcomers and recoveries
Mackenzie Coupland is set to make her debut in the Grand Tour and will do so wearing the Australian champion’s jersey. The 20-year-old has already impressed this season, earning a national title in January and then adding a victory at the Vuelta a Extremadura Femenina in March. Her success, however, came while competing for a development team, meaning her Women’s WorldTour squad missed out on an important UCI win. With her form showing promise, Coupland is expected to support her team’s goals in Switzerland, as they look to secure stage victories.
Sarah Gigante, who took sixth overall in the previous edition, will not be taking part in 2026 as she continues her recovery from surgery. Ally Wollaston is also absent after her team, FDJ United-Suez, chose to refocus on Demi Vollering, shifting their resources and strategies accordingly. These absences have contributed to the overall reduction in the number of Australian and New Zealand riders in the field.
Brodie Chapman's return
Brodie Chapman, representing UAE Team L’IMAD, will make her second appearance at the Tour de France Femmes. Last year’s event proved to be a challenging debut for her and the team, which lost key riders and ultimately struggled with performance and illness. Since then, she has endured a long road to recovery following a serious crash during the Tour of Flanders that left her with a pelvic fracture. Through determination and patience, she has worked her way back to form, racing at the Tour de Suisse and earning a spot on the team for the 2026 race.
Chapman will be part of a team that now boasts considerable strength, with Elisa Longo Borghini, Dominika Wlodarczyk, and two-time stage winner Maëva Squiban returning. The squad has also added Mavi García, who claimed a stage victory while riding for Liv AlUla Jayco, as well as Paula Blasi, the winner of the Vuelta Femenina in May. This deep team will require a strong support system, and Chapman is expected to play a key role in the team’s strategy and performance.
A chance for first wins
Despite the reduced number of riders from Australia and New Zealand, the group remains hopeful of making a significant impact in the 2026 race. Coupland, in particular, is seen as a potential candidate to secure a stage win for her nation in the current era of the Tour de France Femmes. A first win for an Australian or New Zealand rider in this new format would be a milestone, and the riders are determined to seize the opportunity.
The Tour will cover over 1,175 kilometers, beginning in Lausanne and concluding in Nice over eight days from August 1 to August 9. The southern hemisphere contingent has a chance to prove that their influence on the race remains strong, even as their numbers have decreased. Whether through a strong general classification result, like Fisher-Black’s, or a breakthrough stage win, the seven riders will have the opportunity to leave a lasting mark on this year’s event.
