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Tour de France Femmes stage 5 report
Bonjour and welcome to to Cyclingnews' live coverage of stage 6 of the Tour de France Femmes!
The race heads back into the hills after what was an extremely chaotic stage yesterday. Vollering (SDW) crashing in yellow and dropping to ninth in GC handing yellow to Niewiadoma (CSR) with Vollering's SD Worx-Protime teammate, Vas, taking the win. The race has been really shaken up.
Unfortunately, yesterday's crash has seen a couple of riders leave the race. British champion, Pfeiffer Georgi (DFP), Canadian rider Magdeleine Vallieres (EFO) and former Polish champion Marta Lach (WNT).
Strong as ever in both the lead-outs and on the climbs, unfortunately @pfeiffergeorgi's @LeTourFemmes journey came to an end yesterday 😔 We have an update on her #TDFF2024 injuries now she is back at the hotel with the team ⤵️ Join us in sending her your best wishes. Heal up… pic.twitter.com/QNee5gWkGRAugust 16, 2024
First of the usual newsroom recap is an update on Georgi (DFP) after the crash...
It was a sigh of relief for Vollering and SD Worx-Protime as the defending champion has no serious injuries...
>>> No broken bones for Demi Vollering after Tour de France Femmes crash, looks set to start stage 6
Puck Pieterse (FED) dropped to third after crashing, holds onto polka dots and white but misses out on yellow chance...
>>> Puck Pieterse misses out on chance at yellow jersey after Tour de France Femmes crash
Lightning did not strike twice between Vas (SDW) and Faulkner (EFO) as the Olympic champion tried her trademark attack once again in the final kilometres yesterday...
>>> 'Could not let Faulkner go' - Blanka Vas avoids Olympic déjà vu at Tour de France Femmes
Mixed emotions for new yellow jersey, Kasia Niewiadoma (CSR)...
SD Worx-Protime had a very chaotic final few kilometres with Bredewold the only one to drop back and support Vollering after crash...
The team presentation and sign on is well underway in Remiremont...
💪 Ensemble !#TDFF2024 | #WatchTheFemmes | @GoZwift pic.twitter.com/1f7SII3qNkAugust 16, 2024
The jerseys going into the sixth stage of the race:
Yellow - Kasia Niewiadoma (POL) Canyon-SRAM
Green - Charlotte Kool (NED) DSM-Firmenich-PostNL
Polka dots - Puck Pieterse (NED) Fenix-Deceuninck
White - Puck Pieterse (NED) Fenix-Deceuninck*
Green number - Loes Adegeest (NED) FDJ-Suez
Team - Lidl-Trek
*Worn by - Shirin van Anrooij (NED) Lidl-Trek
"And it was all yellow...." New yellow Canyon bike and helmet for Niewiadoma (CSR)...
💛🤩#TDFF2024 l #WatchTheFemmes l @GoZwift pic.twitter.com/tZiDK8QIOKAugust 16, 2024
Happy 24th birthday to Victoire Berteau (COF)!
🥳 Joyeux anniversaire @velopipoire ! Cette tenue te va à merveille !🥳 Happy birthday @velopipoire! This kit suits you perfectly!#TDFF2024 | #WatchTheFemmes | @GoZwift | @TeamCOFIDIS pic.twitter.com/wANRDaNNodAugust 16, 2024
Neutral start
The riders have rolled out of the start and have begun the neutralised zone.
Delayed start after the race waits for a rider to rejoin the peloton after a crash. We do not know who went down just yet.
159.2km to go
The racing begins on stage six of the Tour de France Femmes 2024. The flag is waved by Marion Rousse and the riders begin the second longest stage of the race. Immediately riders attack...
The early attacks have been dragged back and the peloton is all together again.
It is a beautiful day in France as the riders have lovely sunshine and 26 degrees C temperatures with a light 7kph wind currently coming from the their right side.
Just over 5km to the first climb of the day, the 3.2km at 5.9% category 3 climb of the Col du Mont de Fourche.
The last time a race went over the Col du Mont de Fourche, it was in 2012 at the men's Tour de France. Chris Froome won the day ahead of Cadel Evans and eventual GC winner Bradley Wiggins on the Planche des Belles Filles.
12 years later and the women's Tour peloton will roll over the climb. But not with the same stage finale as that race all those years ago.
150km to go
The riders are now climbing the Col du Mont de Fourche.
Some riders already losing touch with the peloton on the early slopes of the first climb of the day. It will be a very long stage for them.
Attacks in the peloton with around 500 metres to the top of the climb.
Green jersey dropped
Charlotte Kool (DFP) begins her day of suffering as she is struggling to hold the wheels.
Attack
Justine Ghekiere (AGS)
Crash!
Multiple riders down. No clear update on who has gone down.
Nine riders are chasing Ghekiere (AGS) with a gap of just 5", but the peloton is chasing.
Ten riders now lead the way and have 25" on the chasing peloton. A good sized group if they are willing to work.
Breakaway:
Justine Ghekiere (AGS)
Mischa Bredewold (SDW)
Grace Brown (FST)
Amber Kraak (FST)
Neve Bradbury (CSR)
Amanda Spratt (LTK)
Cecile Uttrup Ludwig (FST)
Silvia Persico (UAD)
Valentina Cavallar (ARK)
Anouska Koster (UXM)
They have a gap of 20" on the peloton.
140km to go
Justine Ghekiere (AGS) was the first over the Col du Mont de Fourche.
QoM (Col du Mont de Fourche)
1. Justine Ghekiere (AGS) 3pts
2. Silvia Persico (UAD) 2pts
3. Valentina Cavallar (ARK) 1pt
Visma-Lease a Bike, who have missed this move, are leading the chase with the gap dropping to 18".
Chloe Dygert (CSR) is key for Kasia Niewiadoma (CSR) keeping yellow today as the time trial world champion looks after the yellow jersey. Gap between the break and the peloton now down to just 12".
After Silvia Persico (UAD) took those two points, she now passes Puck Pieterse (FED) in the virtual QoM standings once again.
Just 10" between the peloton and the break.
Breakaway caught
The race is all back together again as Visma-Lease a Bike stretch the peloton out in one long line.
130km to go
After almost 30km of riding, the average speed has been 42.5kph. A rapid start to the race. Uno-X Mobility leading the peloton at the moment.
New moves off the front involving riders from St. Michel-Mavic-Auber93 and Movistar.
Those latest attacks quickly dragged back and the peloton is all together yet again.
Multiple attacks off the front of the peloton but each one is being brought back.
Just under 60km to go until the next QoM of the day, the Col de Ferrière.
Attack
Another Movistar rider launches a move but the peloton is, once again, reacting to it.
Two riders now have a small gap on the peloton.
Yara Kastelijn (FED) was one of the riders who went down in the earlier crash on the first QoM. She has just returned to the peloton now.
120km to go
Breakaway:
Audrey Cordon-Ragot (HPH)
Iurani Blanco (LAB)
They have around 25" on the peloton currently.
Cordon-Ragot (HPH) and Blanco (LAB) have a gap of 30" over the peloton now.
The gap is growing to 40" for Cordon-Ragot (HPH) and Blanco (LAB). It is a good group to allow a good gap as neither are dangerous in the GC with Cordon-Ragot at 19'28" and Blanco at 22'33".
Arkea-B&B Hotels chasing and closes the gap as now there is a new counter move in the pack as the gap falls to 30".
A group of around 10 riders have a gap of 25" from the front and 5" on the peloton.
The chasers now at 15" from the leading duo with the peloton a further 10" behind the chase.
Two more riders bridge to the counter move as the gaps continue to shrink between the leaders, the chase and the peloton.
Now two chasing groups with around 15 riders chasing the leading duo.
Breakaway comes together with 14 riders leading with a gap of just 15" on the peloton.
The peloton now 25" behind the 14 rider break.
100km to go
Break:
Ellen van Dijk (LTK)
Christine Majerus (SDW)
Audrey Cordon-Ragot (HPH)
Iurani Blanco (LAB)
Victoire Berteau (COF)
Anniina Ahtosalo (UXM)
Sheyla Gutiérrez (MOV)
Franziska Koch (DFP)
Fem van Empel (TVL)
Amber Pate (LAJ)
Justine Ghekiere (AGS)
Nina Berton (WNT)
Maaike Coljé (ARK)
Julie De Wilde (FED)
Gap sitting at 30".
Best placed rider in the break is cyclocross world champion, Fem van Empel (TVL), sitting 4'45" back on Kasia Niewiadoma's yellow jersey.
Currently experiencing a period of radio silence, literally. Last update of the gap was 30" and that doesn't seem to have changed. A very strong breakaway with several riders more than capable of winning.
90km to go
Around 20km to the next climb, the Col de Ferrière. Currently still saying 30" between the 14 rider break and the peloton.
A birthday breakaway for Victoire Berteau (COF)...
Four rider bridge the gap:
Marianne Vos (TVL)
Grace Brown (FST)
Niamh Fisher-Black (SDW)
Soraya Paladin (CSR)
Also, Neve Bradbury (CSR) is no longer listed as being in the break despite radio tour saying she was as the group was confirmed.
The gap has grown to 1'55" between the peloton and the breakaway.
So, 18 riders are clear with almost 2'00" on the peloton. Mariannne Vos (TVL) is now by far the best placed rider in the break at just 1'59" down on Kasia Niewiadoma's (CSR) jersey.
The gap is up to 2'15". Marianne Vos (TVL) is the virtual yellow jersey.
The gap goes out to 2'35" between this extremely strong breakaway and the peloton.
Now just 10km to th second climb of the day, the Col de Ferrière. Last time a race went over this climb was in stage six of the 2021 Paris-Nice where Primož Roglič won an uphill sprint into Biot.
The race go onto the Col de Ferrière climb. 2.6km at 4.7% average gradient.
Two hours raced and the average speed is at 42.2kph. The gap is at 2'35" between the break and the peloton.
The gap is still extending and is now at 2'48" between the break and the peloton.
Canyon-SRAM leading the peloton with the time gap dropping to 2'09".
70km to go
The gap is 2'10" between the break and the peloton. A few riders starting to lose contact. Fenix-Deceuninck joining Canyon-SRAM on the front of the bunch.
Multiple teams now on the front of the peloton with a gap of 2'07" up to the breakaway who are set to sweet up the QoM points.
QoM (Col de Ferrière)
1. Justine Ghekiere (AGS) 2pts
2. Marianne Vos (TVL) 1pt
That acceleration for the QoM points, Ghekiere (AGS), Vos (TVL) and Koch (DFP) have a small gap.
But the break comes back together again. 2'18" back to the peloton who only now crest the climb. The next point of interest is the intermediate sprint in Sancey. Just around 8km to go until that.
Charlotte Kool (DFP) has just made it back to the peloton. Unfortunately for her, she will likely be losing 25 points in her lead to Marianne Vos (TVL) who is in the breakaway.
Canyon-SRAM, Fenix-Deceuninck and Lidl-Trek leading the peloton. 2'23" gap up to the break.
60km to go
The gap is now at 2'22" as the break are about to get to the intermediate sprint.
Van Empel (TVL) leading out Vos (TVL) for the intermediate sprint with Koch (DFP) and Ahtosalo (UXM) challenging her.
Intermediate sprint (Sancey)
1. Marianne Vos (TVL) 25pts
2. Anniina Ahtosalo (UXM) 20pts
3. Franziska Koch (DFP) 17pts
4. Christine Majerus (SDW) 15pts
5. Niamh Fisher-Black (SDW) 13pts
Marianne Vos (TVL) now joint on points with Charlotte Kool (DFP).
Straight onto the next QoM of the Côte de Laviron. Category 3 climb which is 5.7km long with an average gradient of 4.1%.
Liv-AlUla-Jayco leading the peloton at 2'40" back on the break.
Dropped from peloton
Charlotte Kool (DFP)
Rachele Barbieri (DFP)
Barbara Guarischi (SDW)
Ruby Roseman-Gannon (LAJ)
The peloton are closing the gap to the break. The gap is now sat at 1'37" with 54km to go.
QoM (Côte de Laviron)
1. Justine Ghekiere (AGS) 3pts
2. Niamh Fisher-Black (SDW) 2pts
3. Franziska Koch (DFP) 1pt
Now 25km to the next QoM of La Roche du Prêtre. It is a category two climb, so five, three, two and one points available.
Justine Ghekiere (AGS) is now the virtual QoM leader after taking the points today. Plenty more points to come, though.
50km to go
The peloton stretch a little bit to 2'03". The bunch are not happy letting Vos (TVL) go up the road and take yellow even though she won't be in the fight for the overall race with the big mountains to come.
Riders currently on a very technical descent on their way down to the valley before the penultimate climb of the day.
40km to go
Paladin (CSR) and Blanco (LAB) just losing touch with the break on the descent but as the road flattens and straightens they get back in.
Movistar leading the peloton at 1'08" back on the break. Several riders being tailed off the back due to the technical descent. Yara Kastelijn (FED) really struggling to keep up with the pace and is needed assistance from the car.
The race is about to head onto the next climb, La Roche du Prêtre. It is a category 2 climb so a maximum of 5 points. Just 1'35" between the break and the peloton now.
📈 Voici ce qui attend les coureuses dans 5 kilomètres. La montée de La Roche du Prêtre et ses dernières pentes qui vont faire mal aux jambes ! 🥵#TDFF2024 #WatchTheFemmes@GoZwift pic.twitter.com/EoNx6KbduxAugust 16, 2024
Charlotte Kool (DFP) makes it back to the peloton with Barbieri (DFP), Roseman-Gannon (LAJ) and Guarischi (SDW). They have been fighting hard today.
Lidl-Trek, Movistar and SD Worx-Protime leading the peloton as the time gap continues to fall to the break with it now at 1'28". Yesterday's stage winner, Blanka Vas (SDW) working hard for her teammate, Vollering (SDW).
Onto the next climb La Roche du Prêtre. Fem van Empel (TVL) leading the break onto the climb. It will not be long at all before the peloton start the climb. They are 1'22" behind. Immediately the climb goes onto 9% with 11% right at the end of the climb.
It is another climb where the QoM sprint isn't at the top but half way up as the bonus sprint is at the top of the climb. A brief bit of rest bite then onto another climb.
Attack in peloton
Mavi Garcia (LAJ)
She kicks on solo at the start of La Roche du Prêtre.
Van Empel (TVL), Majerus (SDW), Berton (WNT), Pate (LAJ), Ahtosalo (UXM), De Wilde (FED), Van Dijk (LTK), Cordon-Ragot (HPH) and Berteau (COF) dropped from the break.
30km to go
Colje (ARK), Blanco (LAB) and Koch (DFP) also dropped by the break which is now just seven riders.
Attack in break
Niamh Fisher-Black (TVL)
That acceleration drops Vos (TVL) and Gutierrez (MOV). Paladin (CSR), Ghekkiere (AGS) and Brown (FST) able to follow.
FDJ-Suez absolutely ripping the peloton to bits as they catch Fem van Empel (TVL), Nina Berton (WNT) and Christine Majerus (SDW).
Sheyla Gutierrez (MOV) claws her way back onto the lead group and drops Marianne Vos (TVL) for now.
SD Worx-Protime lose another rider from the peloton as Mischa Bredewold is distanced. Christine Majerus probably won't be far off being dropped as well after a long ride in the breakaway.
FDJ-Suez have decimated the peloton now. Muzic (FST) is the rider they will be working for but they could also be working for the stage win with Ludwig (FST) as well.
Ah, De Wilde (FED), Cordon-Ragot (HPH) and Majerus (SDW) getting caught by the peloton now.
FDJ-Suez continues to lead the peloton as Mavi Garcia (LAJ) is finally caught by Lea Curinier (FST).
Attack in break
Niamh Fisher-Black (SDW)
The New Zealander goes solo with Brown (FST) and Ghekiere (AGS) chase with Paladin (CSR) and Gutierrez (MOV) out of the back of the group heading back to the peloton.
FDJ-Suez no longer setting the tempo. Gaia Realini (LTK) and Puck Pieterse (FED) come to the front.
QoM (La Roche du Prêtre)
1. Niamh Fisher-Black (SDW) 5pts
2. Justine Ghekiere (AGS) 3pts
3. Grace Brown (FST) 2pts
4. Sheyla Gutiérrez (MOV) 1pt
Ghekiere (AGS) caught Fisher-Black (SDW) but wasn't able to get maximum points.
Fisher-Black (SDW) kicked on again and Brown (FST) was able to catch her. However, Ghekiere (AGS) shook her head as she wasn't able to follow any more.
Attack in peloton
Marion Bunel (AUB)
She flies passed Gutiérrez (MOV) and Paladin (CSR) who have just been caught by the peloton. She is a superbly talented 19 year old French climber and will be setting her sights on Ghekiere (AGS) before aiming for the race lead.
Amazingly, Justine Ghekiere (AGS) makes it back to the leaders. This is yet another superbly gutsy ride by the Belgian.
Movistar working hard on the front of the peloton and they drag Bunel (AUB) back.
Bonus sprint (Le Mont Sianet)
1. Justine Ghekiere (AGS) 6"
2. Grace Brown (FST) 4"
3. Niamh Fisher-Black (SDW) 2"
Ghekiere (AGS) threw the bike to the line there to make sure she pipped Brown (FST).
20km to go
Movistar working very hard for Liane Lippert in what's left of the bunch with a gap of just 38" between the two groups.
The riders are about to start the final climb of the day, the Côte des Fins. It is category 3 climb that is 1.8km long with an average gradient of 6.9%. Should be a big moment for the GC riders as Arkea-B&B Hotels take over the lead of the bunch, interestingly.
Attack in break and peloton
Grace Brown (FST) accelerates in the break.
Juliette Labous (DFP) launches in the peloton.
Smulder (LAJ), Kerbaol (WNT), Muzic (FST) and Niewiadome (CSR) followed the move by Labous (DFP) well with Vollering (SDW) being the one to close things down.
Attack
Pauliena Rooijakkers (FED)
She bridges to Brown (FST) and Fisher-Black (SDW) as Niewiadoma (CSR) is having to chase on her own.
Break caught
Brown (FST), Fisher-Black (SDW) and Rooijakkers (FED) are caught by the Niewiadoma (CSR) led peloton.
Dropped by peloton
Kristen Faulkner (EFO)
Marianne Vos (TVL)
Le Curinier (FST)
They are all slowly coming back, though.
Attack
Puck Pieterse (FED)
Kasia Niewiadoma (CSR)
Juliette Labous (DFP)
Demi Vollering (SDW)
Gaia Realini (LTK)
QoM (Côte des Fins)
1. Puck Pieterse (FED) 3pts
2. Kasia Niewiadoma (CSR) 2pts
3. Demi Vollering (SDW) 1pt
Attack
Cédrine Kerbaol (WNT)
Pauliena Rooijakkers (FED)
Kerbaol (WNT) is fourth in the GC at just over 40" down on Niewiadoma (CSR).
Cédrine Kerbaol (WNT) has distanced Pauliena Rooijakkers (FED) on the descent. Behind, Juliette Labous (DFP) leads the peloton down the descent.
Marianne Vos (TVL) is just off the back of the GC group and is riding flat out to try and get back into contention for the stage win.
10km to go
Lea Curinier (FST) now leading the GC group. Cédrine Kerbaol (WNT) still leads and has 15" on Pauliena Rooijakkers (FED) with the GC group at 22" and Marianne Vos (TVL) makes it back to the main group!
Caught
Pauliena Rooijakkers (FED)
She is dragged back by the bunch as her descending skills let her down. It isn't her strongest point.
Cédrine Kerbaol (WNT) is absolutely flying down this descent. She is pulling out the gap and now has 32" on the chasing GC group. This French rider could be flying up the GC, taking the stage and, maybe, take yellow? She is just 15" in the virtual standings.
Neve Bradbury (CSR) finally moves up to help Lea Curinier (FST) on the front of the peloton as Cédrine Kerbaol (WNT) was edging a bit too close to Kasia Niewiadoma's (CSR) yellow jersey.
5km to go
Cédrine Kerbaol (WNT) is off the descent and is now laying down the power with 39" gap on the peloton chasing led by Neve Bradbury (CSR), Lea Curinier (FST) and Grace Brown (FST).
3km to go for Cédrine Kerbaol (WNT) as her gap falls to 36".
2km to go. Cédrine Kerbaol (WNT) still has a gap of 34" on the chasing GC group.
Flamme Rouge
Cédrine Kerbaol (WNT) is holding the chasers brilliant. But there is a short climb with around 700 metres to go all the way to the line. Can she become the first French stage winner of the Tour de France Femmes? Just 34" between her and the chase.
500 metres to go for Kerbaol (WNT). The gap isn't really closing enough but several riders are starting to push her behind to lead out teammates.
Cédrine Kerbaol (WNT) wins stage six of the Tour de France Femmes 2024! The first French stage winner at the race.
Behind, unsurprisingly, Marianne Vos (TVL) flies to second place with Liane Lippert (MOV) in third. Marianne Vos is the new green jersey.
Stage six top 10
1. Cédrine Kerbaol (FRA) Ceratizit-WNT 4:04'41"
2. Marianne Vos (NED) Visma-Lease a BIke +21"
3. Liane Lippert (GER) Movistar
4. Karlijn Swinkels (NED) UAE Team ADQ
5. Lucinda Brand (NED) Lidl-Trek
6. Kasia Niewiadoma (POL) Canyon-SRAM
7. Puck Pieterse (NED) Fenix-Deceuninck
8. Thalita De Jong (NED) Lotto-DSTNY
9. Évita Muzic (FRA) FDJ-Suez
10. Julietta Labous (FRA) DSM-Firmenich-PostNL all S.T.
General Classification after stage six
1. Kasia Niewiadoma (POL) Canyon-SRAM 15:32'31"
2. Cédrine Kerbaol (FRA) Ceratizit-WNT +16"
3. Kristen Faulkner (USA) EF-Oatly-Cannondale +19"
4. Puck Pieterse (NED) Fenix-Deceuninck +22"
5. Juliette Labous (FRA) DSM-Firmenich-PostNL +56"
6. Thalita De Jong (NED) Lotto-DSTNY +1'04"
7. Shirin van Anrooij (NED) Lidl-Trek +1'07"
8. Pauliena Rooijakkers (NED) Fenix-Deceuninck +1'08"
9. Liane Lippert (GER) Movistar +1'16"
10. Demi Vollering (NED) SD Worx-Protime +1'19"
Marianne Vos (TVL) very nearly had the absolutely perfect day. She won the intermediate sprint, taking her level on points with Charlotte Kool (DFP) in the fight for green.
Then, taking second on the stage, she goes ahead of her fellow countrywoman and takes the green jersey going into the final two stages with a lead of 25 points over Kool.
What a moment for Cédrine Kerbaol and Ceratizit-WNT. The first French stage winner in the Tour de France Femmes.
Our post race report is online now! Make sure to keep going back to it as it'll be updated with reactions and more infor as the afternoon goes on...
>>> Tour de France Femmes: Cedrine Kerbaol solos to stage 6 victory
Kasia Niewiadoma (CSR) had a really good day as she defended her yellow jersey well, only losing time to Kerbaol (WNT) as well as Vos (TVL) and Lippert (MOV), neither of whom shoudl pose a threat in the mountains this weekend.
Marianne Vos (TVL) goes into the lead of the point standings with just two stages remaining. The winner of the green jersey in 2022 will be hoping for another victory in the classification this year.
Puck Pieterse (FED) loses both the polka dot jersey and her podium position after today but, she does keep the white jersey as the race heads to the mountains.
Justin Ghekiere (AGS) goes into the polka dot jersey after yet another brilliant breakaway ride.
As well as winning the stage, Cédrine Kerbaol (WNT) also takes the most combative rider prize and will wear the green number tomorrow.
