Marlen Reusser in contention for Tour de France Femmes title
The Tour de France Femmes has reached a pivotal stage as Swiss rider Marlen Reusser enters the final critical phase of the race. She is currently just 12 seconds ahead of Demi Vollering in the overall standings. She has three stages left to secure a potential victory. As the race heads toward the queen stage on Mont Ventoux, Reusser and her Movistar team are entering the most challenging part of the event. They have a clear strategy and a strong focus.
Team director Kelvin Dekker has laid out a precise game plan for the coming race. The strategy involves staying close to Demi Vollering and then making a move to overtake her. Speaking to Cyclingnews, Dekker emphasized the team's goal. 'We're going to try to win the stage, that's the main thing,' he said. This approach reflects the team's confidence in Reusser's capabilities. Particularly as the stage unfolds on a course that suits her strengths.
Mont Ventoux offers challenge, and potential
The upcoming Mont Ventoux stage presents a significant challenge, with a 15.6-kilometer climb and an average gradient of 8.8 percent. The climb is not only long but also consistently steep, making it one of the most demanding parts of the race. However, the uniform nature of the climb could be advantageous for certain riders, and it's expected to play a key role in shaping the final standings. It will be Mont Ventoux’s first appearance on the route of the ASO-organized Tour de France Femmes, turning Stage 7 into a historic day for the competition.
Dekker highlighted that headwinds are anticipated for parts of the climb, especially after Chalet Reynard, which could give Reusser a potential edge. The Swiss rider has already taken the opportunity to scout the route and expressed her confidence in how it fits her riding style. 'I like it,' Reusser said, acknowledging that while the climb will be extremely tough, it aligns well with her approach to racing. The final six kilometers could become the most demanding part of the stage due to the lack of vegetation, the heat, exposure to the mistral wind, and the constant gradient that will accompany the peloton all the way to the finish.
Vollering and Niewiadoma remain key threats
Dekker views Demi Vollering and Kasia Niewiadoma-Phinney as the two main threats to Reusser's GC hopes. Vollering is currently second, just 12 seconds behind Reusser, while Niewiadoma is third but over a minute behind. Despite this gap, Dekker believes the GC battle is still very competitive and unpredictable, with the race far from decided. So far, the gaps between the main favorites have been measured in seconds. However, a crisis on the slopes of Ventoux could result in losses of several minutes and completely transform the general classification.
Although Niewiadoma hasn't claimed a victory by finishing first in a long time, she is known for her incredible strength. She is also known for her ability to capitalize on mistakes from the leaders. Dekker pointed out the risk she poses. 'You make one mistake, like yesterday in the sprint, that she's there to take it,' he said. The team is therefore staying alert to her presence in the top three.
With three more tough stages remaining, including the crucial Mont Ventoux, the overall standings remain very much in play. Dekker stressed that the race won't be decided until the final stage in Nice. 'You have to stand in Nice at the end and be in yellow now,' he said. He was emphasizing the need for Reusser to maintain steady, consistent performance. She must do so throughout the rest of the race. Reusser and Vollering arrive at the decisive moment with very different profiles. The Swiss rider stands out for her ability to maintain a high pace over long periods and for her performance against the clock. After winning the world title in the discipline in Rwanda, she focused much of her season on arriving at the French race in the best possible condition.
Dekker also noted that Movistar has been preparing strategically for this moment for months. 'Until everything has been going as we expected and as we planned,' he said, which has helped the team remain calm and focused. This careful preparation is providing the team with added confidence as they head into what could be the most decisive stage of the race. A quiet day before the battle Before the arrival of the high mountains, Kim Le Court won Stage 6 between Montbrison and Tournon-sur-Rhône, contested over a 153.4-kilometer route. The Mauritian champion won the sprint from a group of eight riders that reached the finish 28 seconds ahead of the peloton containing the favorites. Reusser, Vollering, and Niewiadoma avoided any significant time gaps during the stage and retained their positions ahead of a day that promises to mark a turning point in the competition.