The seventh and much-feared stage of the 2026 Tour de France Femmes speaks Polish:  Kasia Niewiadoma (Canyon Sram) claims victory on the Mont Ventoux and the yellow jersey of overall leader after a solo attack built over the final 9 kilometers of the 146-kilometer stage.

The 31-year-old from Canyon, winner of the Tour in 2024, crossed the iconic finish line atop the "Giant of Provence" with a 1'15" advantage over Demi Vollering (FDJ United - SUEZ). Third, 1'42" back, Elisa Longo Borghini delivered a strong comeback that allowed her to edge out Marlen Reusser, who finished fourth. 

THE STAGE The much-anticipated stage of the Tour de France Femmes began without Anna van der Breggen. The Dutch rider, who heading into the French race was considered one of the possible podium contenders, had to throw in the towel, leaving her SD Worx Protime teammates. In addition to the two-time world champion, Norwegian Aalerud (Uno-X Mobility) and Canadian Lylyk (Mayenne Monbana My Pie) also did not start.

 In the opening kilometers the peloton rode compact and at the top of  the Grande Limite the polka dot jersey Pieterse (Fenix-Premier Tech) preceded her teammate Casasola and Persico (UAE Team L'IMAD). Subsequently the peloton traveled in bursts with several athletes visible up front including Wiebes, Korevaar, Williams and Masetti. The peloton, however, continued to travel as one unit and at the Col du Colombier they passed in order Pieterse, Casasola and Paladin.

 The situation remained virtually unchanged until kilometer 65 when Liv AlUla Jayco imposed a strong pace before launching Ruby Roseman-Gannon in a breakaway. Joining the 27-year-old from Melbourne were Marit Raaijmakers (Human Powered Health), Mia Griffin (Team Picnic PostNL), Amalie Dideriksen (Cofidis), Idoia Eraso (Laboral Kutxa - Fundación Euskadi), Paula Patiño (Laboral Kutxa - Fundación Euskadi), Marte Berg Edseth (Uno-X Mobility), Sandrine Tas (Lotto Intermarchè Ladies), Romina Hinojosa (Lotto Intermarchè Ladies), Clémence Latimier (Ma Petite Entreprise) and Fiona Mangan (Mayenne Monbana My Pie).

 Behind this group Marianne Vos (Visma Lease a Bike) and Sophie von Berswordt (VolkerWessels Cycling Team) were chasing about fifteen seconds back while, with 65 kilometers remaining, the main peloton was reported 1'30" down from the leaders. At the Beaumes de Venise intermediate sprint, won by Dideriksen (Cofidis), the front group could manage 2'00" over the Vos-Berswordt duo and 2'50" over the yellow jersey group.

The two leading chasers were caught by the peloton at the base of the Col de Suzette. The challenging climb reshuffled the cards: the breakaway group was reduced and  Ruby Roseman-Gannon crested first while the group of overall contenders had a 1'15" gap.

 Under the pressure of Movistar, FDJ Suez, EF and Lidl Trek the peloton regrouped when 19 kilometers remained to the finish: the last breakaway rider to be caught was Ruby Roseman-Gannon of Liv AlUla Jayco.

 As soon as the Mont Ventoux climb began Marlen Reusser found herself without teammates while Gery set the pace in favor of Vollering. Meanwhile, at the back of the group of "big" contenders, Ferrand-Prévot, Le Court and world champion Vallieres were struggling.

 At the 12-kilometer mark those remaining in command were: Bunel (Team Visma | Lease a Bike), Vollering (FDJ United – SUEZ), Niewiadoma (CANYON//SRAM), Niedermaier (CANYON//SRAM),  Blasi (UAE Team L'IMAD), Longo Borghini (UAE Team L'IMAD), Dominika Włodarczyk (UAE Team L'IMAD), Reusser (Movistar Team), Holmgren (Lidl – Trek),  Kerbaol (EF Education-Oatly) and Rüegg (EF Education-Oatly).

 A couple of hairpin turns later came Vollering's attack, to which only yellow jersey Reusser and Niewiadoma responded. The Polish rider, third overall, attacked at the 9-kilometer mark gaining a few seconds and forcing the European champion and the Swiss rider to chase.

 With determination the winner of the 2024 Tour de France Femmes continued to push on the pedals and at Chalet Reynard she could manage 1'00" advantage over her direct rivals while the small group with Elisa Longo Borghini, Blasi and others chased 1'29" back.

STAGE RESULTS

1 Niewiadoma Kasia CANYON//SRAM 04:22:53

2 Vollering Demi FDJ United - SUEZ +01:16

3 Longo Borghini Elisa UAE Team L'IMAD +01:42

4 Reusser Marlen Movistar Team +01:46

5 Blasi Paula UAE Team L'IMAD +01:48

6 Kerbaol Cédrine CANYON//SRAM s.t.

7 Niedermaier Antonia EF Education-Oatly +02:01

8 Włodarczyk Dominika UAE Team L'IMAD +03:26

9 Le Court-Pienaar Kim AG Insurance - Soudal Team +03:58

10 Holmgren Isabella Lidl - Trek +04:11

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