Marlen Reusser from Movistar narrowly missed securing her second stage victory at the Tour de France Femmes, as she narrowly failed to clinch the final sprint in Belleville-en-Beaujolais. The Swiss rider, who had already claimed the yellow jersey a day before, displayed her climbing prowess and tactical acumen across seven categorized ascents. During the final climb, Mont Brouilly, she pushed hard to establish herself in a lead group with Demi Vollering and Kasia Niewiadoma-Phinney. However, Vollering's aggressive last-minute effort in the final 100 meters left Reusser trailing.
Reusser reflected on her performance in her post-race comments, expressing pride in her efforts despite the missed opportunity. She described the stage as extremely challenging and expressed satisfaction with her overall performance, excluding the final stretch. Her ability to climb the final ascent and remain competitive in the 11km sprint to the finish showcased her strength and determination. Still, the sprint finish proved to be a costly mistake, with Vollering overtaking her in a powerful burst.
A missed sprint and a 'wake-up' call
Reusser acknowledged she may have committed a critical error in the final 200 meters of the race. As Niewiadoma-Phinney accelerated to her right, she had to brake abruptly to avoid a collision, which disrupted her timing and cost her crucial momentum. She described the incident as a moment that made her feel 'asleep' and frustrated, emphasizing how a split second can change the outcome of a race.
Despite this misstep, Reusser remained hopeful about her race for the yellow jersey. While she was disappointed not to achieve her fourth career stage win at the Tour, the fact that she maintained the leader's jersey was a significant victory. Her previous success in securing yellow in the Dijon time trial showed her versatility and strength in different race situations. This stage demonstrated her climbing abilities were intact and that she could compete in the hilly terrain.
Vollering tightens the gap but avoids predictions
Demi Vollering, stage winner and now just 12 seconds behind the yellow jersey, remains a strong contender in the race. The Dutch rider, who has previously won the Tour de France Femmes, was careful not to appear overconfident. She praised Reusser's impressive form and acknowledged the looming challenges of the upcoming stages in the Nice region, which will feature demanding mountain climbs, including the ascent of Mont Ventoux.
According to L'Equipe, Vollering remarked, "Marlen Reusser seems to be in good form at the moment. Marlen is the only one who hasn't won it yet, so she's the one who has to work the hardest." Her comments highlight the pressure on Reusser to defend her lead and her role as the team with the most to lose in the coming days.
Mont Ventoux looms as a major test
Reusser shared details about her scouting of Mont Ventoux earlier in the week, describing her experience as challenging due to the wind and dangerous downhill. The final stage on the 'Giant of Provence' is expected to be one of the most demanding of the race, as it involves a brutal climb without a downhill to provide relief. Reusser prefers long days of climbing over summit finishes but admitted that the final stretch will be extremely tough.
With the Tour de France Femmes entering its critical stages, the competition for the yellow jersey remains intense. Reusser, Vollering, and Niewiadoma-Phinney have emerged as the key players, with Reusser still leading the race. As the race heads toward its climax in Nice, every decision and movement will shape the final outcome, and the pressure on the leaders continues to mount.