The 2026 edition of the Tour de France Femmes is set to be one of the most challenging and closely watched women's cycling events of the year, featuring a longer route with increased climbing and the inclusion of Mont Ventoux for the first time. This prestigious race will unfold over the same number of days as the previous edition but will add significant elevation gain and distance, raising the stakes for contenders.
Dutch rider Demi Vollering, competing for FDJ United-Suez, enters the Tour as a leading favorite following a dominant spring season and a recent victory at the Giro d’Italia. Vollering seeks to improve upon her runner-up finish from last year and claim another grand tour title. However, she faces formidable competition from Pauline Ferrand-Prévot of Team Visma-Lease a Bike, the reigning champion, who last year established a substantial lead with a decisive climb on the Colle de la Madeleine. Although Ferrand-Prévot has not secured a win this season and finished 35th at the Vuelta a España Femina, her past performances indicate she may be primarily focusing on peaking for the Tour.
Other notable riders include Kasia Niewiadoma from Team Canyon//SRAM, who has consistently finished on the Tour podium and collected multiple top-three placings this year, though she has yet to secure a WorldTour victory since her last Tour de France Femmes win. Rising star Paula Biasi of U.A.E. Team ADQ will make her debut in the race after a breakthrough victory at the Vuelta, where she impressed with a strong ascent of the Angliru. While Biasi is expected to support team leader and two-time Giro winner Elisa Longo Borghini, her rapid progression makes her one to watch. Longo Borghini, who withdrew from last year’s edition due to illness, aims to secure her first Tour de France Femmes victory alongside young talents like Maëva Squiban.
In the sprinting category, Lorena Wiebes of SD Worx-Pro-time remains one of the sport’s most successful sprinters at 27 years old. Despite occasional setbacks, including a recent disqualification at the Giro d’Italia for a bike weight violation, Wiebes continues to be a dominant force. She faces stiff competition from riders such as Elisa Balsamo of Lidl Trek, who has finished runner-up to Wiebes in recent sprint stages, and 21-year-old Zoe Bäckstedt of Canyon//SRAM, who will race in the Tour for the first time after winning a sprint stage at the Tour de Suisse.
The race route features a critical mountain stage on Mont Ventoux on Stage 7, with steep gradients over 15 kilometers that are expected to heavily influence the general classification. Ferrand-Prévot, known for her climbing skills, could be a key contender on this stage, though she may need to work her way up the leaderboard first. Additionally, an individual time trial on Stage 4 marks the return of this discipline to the Tour, absent last year. Covering 21 kilometers of mostly flat terrain with a short climb, the time trial could reshape the standings by emphasizing riders’ power and speed.
The 2026 Tour de France Femmes promises a compelling blend of experienced champions and emerging talents, with multiple potential winners looking to make history in a race that continues to grow in prestige and difficulty.