Lorena Wiebes of the Netherlands won the stage conclusion in Geneva at the Tour de France Femmes, capitalizing on a strong team effort to reel in a long-distance breakaway. Riejanne Markus had established a significant advantage approaching the finish but could not hold the gap as the main field accelerated in the final kilometers. Wiebes unleashed a decisive sprint over the last 250 meters to secure the victory, her second stage win of the race.
The victory increased Wiebes’ advantage in the overall standings. She now holds a 14-second cushion over second-placed Kim Le Court and a 16-second margin ahead of 2023 champion Demi Vollering. Her sprinting prowess has proven decisive in the race’s flat stages, though steeper terrain in upcoming legs may limit further opportunities for similar wins.
Wiebes’ success on this race occurs against the backdrop of an ongoing dispute with the sport’s governing body. She faces a separate legal matter stemming from her disqualification at the women’s Giro event, when officials determined her bicycle fell below minimum weight requirements after she won an opening stage. She and her SD Worx Protime team have indicated their intention to pursue legal action, alleging procedural flaws in the weighing process.
Team manager Erwin Janssen stated that heightened precautions were taken at the current Tour to prevent any repeat of the Giro situation. He described observing the weighing procedure and noted improved conditions, including an enclosed tent setup that eliminated wind exposure. The team maintains that the earlier Giro decision was unjust and resulted in financial and reputational damage, citing missed bonus payments tied to race results.
UCI president David Lappartient responded to questions about potential litigation by indicating the governing body stands by its decisions, though he acknowledged that some determinations lack universal support. The third stage, scheduled for the following day, features multiple categorized climbs that may disadvantage Wiebes in favor of stronger climbers. Defending champion Pauline Ferrand-Prévot, currently ninth overall, is preparing for an individual time trial and the mountainous concluding stages.
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