Tour de France Femmes: The Challenge of Mont Ventoux Awaits

Tourreporterin

Stand: 06.08.2026 • 21:10 Uhr

In a historic moment for women’s cycling, the seventh stage of the Tour de France Femmes will see competitors tackle the iconic Mont Ventoux for the first time. However, not all of the action will be broadcast live, raising concerns among fans and riders alike.

Despite facing a challenging situation, French cyclist Pauline Ferrand-Prevot remains undeterred. As she departed the team bus for the start of the sixth stage on August 6, the cheers from her supporters were a source of motivation. Although she trails the top three in the overall standings by five minutes, Ferrand-Prevot, who has not raced since May, is ready to fight. "The race isn’t over until it’s truly over, and I will definitely keep pushing," she asserted.

Ferrand-Prevot Still in the Mix

No contender seems willing to count Ferrand-Prevot out. Her previous performance, where she claimed the title last year, showcased her strength on challenging climbs. With the Mont Ventoux looming, she expressed excitement about the ascent, stating, "As a Frenchwoman, it’s an iconic climb. I’m really looking forward to taking it on and crossing the summit." This sentiment comes after a tough evening where she had nearly conceded the Tour victory after falling behind on the fifth stage.

A Milestone for Women’s Cycling

The inclusion of Mont Ventoux in the Tour de France Femmes marks a significant milestone, reflecting the growth of women’s cycling. This legendary mountain has been part of the men’s Tour de France 18 times, and now it joins the women’s event. This season has also seen other notable climbs featured in women’s Grand Tours, such as the Alto de L’Angliru and the Colle delle Finestre.

Linda Riedmann, competing in her second Tour, shared her enthusiasm for the climb, noting, "It definitely shows that the level of women’s cycling has risen significantly in recent years. A few years ago, Mont Ventoux might have been too much for us. Now, it’s the highlight of the Tour de France. I think it will be an epic day."

Broadcast Limitations

Fans attending the event will have an advantage, as the first two hours of the stage will not be televised. This is a recurring issue for the Tour de France Femmes, with France Télévisions only broadcasting three of the nine stages in their entirety. According to UCI regulations, only the last 45 minutes of a WorldTour race must be shown.

Liane Lippert, who narrowly missed victory in a recent sprint, expressed her disappointment about the lack of coverage, recalling her own experience of being in a leading group during the second stage, which went unbroadcast. "That’s really unfortunate. It could definitely be improved," she remarked.

Tour director Marion Rousse acknowledged the concerns over coverage, stating that discussions with France Télévisions are underway to ensure full broadcasts in the future. "The women deserve it, and it has proven effective in terms of viewer numbers," she said.

The Climbers Prepare

Marlen Reusser, who currently wears the yellow jersey, admitted to feeling apprehensive about the Mont Ventoux climb. "I will probably die seven times up there," she joked. When asked about the potential winner, she admitted uncertainty. The competition is fierce, with Demi Vollering just twelve seconds behind her and both Vollering and Kasia Niewiadoma known for their climbing prowess.

Their team manager, Rolf Aldag, expressed hopes for a strong showing at the Mont Ventoux, stating, "Ideally, we would like to have both of them at the front early on the climb. But that’s more of a dream scenario than a guaranteed reality."

Ferrand-Prevot, however, remains unfazed by the competition. After the race, she took time to sign autographs for her fans, who continue to rally behind her.