When the going gets tough...
It's Bastille Day, the next day is a rest day and the finish is atop one of the Tour's most renowned peaks. This is also the race's longest day, so everyone will need to hold back as much as they can for those final 21km. Once again, plenty of riders will want to get into the break but their chances of fending off the GC hopefuls will be a lot slimmer than they were into Lyon. The stage bumps through the Drôme region, reaching the foothills of the Ventoux beyond Nyons, where the riders will start a half-circuit of 'The Bald Mountain', passing over the Col de la Madeleine and into Bédoin. From there the road starts to rise gently to reach the first sweeping bend, which launches the riders up into thick forest that hides the steepest ramps. Coming out of the trees at Châlet Reynard, the riders enter the Ventoux's barren moonscape. The direction of the wind is crucial. Usually, it's from the front, potentially nullifying attacking intentions. It's a devilish climb to judge well but quite an easy one to make a hash of.
-
'Really stupid from both of us' – Marlen Reusser regrets mark-out tactics with Demi Vollering as yellow jersey sails away at Tour de France Femmes
'Demi kept attacking super hard, I kept telling her don’t do this' says Swiss rider after losing the race lead -
As it happened: Mont Ventoux inspires a historic solo win and shakes-up the 2026 Tour de France Femmes GC battle
August 7, 2026; La Voulte-sur-Rhône - Mont Ventoux, 146.8km, mountain -
The GC standings at the Tour de France Femmes 2026 – Yellow jersey changes hands on dramatic Mont Ventoux stage, setting up spectacular final weekend
Niewiadoma-Phinney storms to win and race lead with stunning solo effort, but Vollering and Reusser are still in striking distance -
Tour de France Femmes: Kasia Niewiadoma-Phinney launches vicious long-range solo attack to claim stage and yellow jersey atop Mont Ventoux
Demi Vollering and Marlen Reusser distanced on queen stage
