Sigrid Haugset, the Norwegian national champion, took a commanding solo victory on stage three of the Tour de France Femmes, earning the yellow jersey and becoming the first Norwegian rider to lead the race. Her remarkable 90-kilometer breakaway, which began at the foot of the Col de la Savine, secured her overall lead ahead of the individual time trial scheduled for Friday.
Haugset crossed the finish line in Poligny nearly a minute and a half clear of her closest pursuer, former world road race champion Lotte Kopecky, who mounted a late chase threatening to close the gap to just 10 seconds. Despite this, Kopecky was unable to catch Haugset, who credited her team car for critical support during the effort. The Norwegian, 27, described the victory as the biggest of her career, adding that the physical toll prevented her from celebrating at the finish.
“I never thought it was possible,” Haugset said, reflecting on her achievement in the Norwegian champion’s jersey. She acknowledged the encouragement from fans and teammates as a motivating factor but noted her lack of preparation for the upcoming 21-kilometer time trial from Gevrey-Chambertin to Dijon, saying she planned to “just enjoy it.”
The stage, marked by oppressive heat with temperatures approaching the high 30s Celsius, featured several moments of contest among the overall favorites. Kim Le Court of Great Britain initiated a strong move on the Côte de Chaux-Champagny, briefly unsettling the frontrunners before the group regrouped. Kasia Niewiadoma and Demi Vollering also tested their rivals but ultimately did not break away.
Defending champion Pauline Ferrand-Prévot expressed concerns about the time trial, admitting she faces a challenge due to less experience compared to rivals like Vollering and Le Court. She outlined efforts to improve her position and aerodynamics on the time-trial bike through months of preparation but anticipated she might need to focus on limiting time losses rather than gaining ground.
The race’s route remains under scrutiny as a wildfire risk persists in southeastern France. Officials from the Vaucluse prefecture have requested that organizers consider alternative routes for upcoming stages, including the stage seven summit finish on Mont Ventoux. A risk assessment was planned ahead of Friday’s stage to determine whether adjustments would be necessary due to the fire threat.
Following her historic stage win and assumption of the yellow jersey, Haugset holds a lead of approximately two minutes over closest competitors, signaling a notable shift in the Tour de France Femmes standings as the event moves toward its more challenging stages.