Tour de France Femmes 2025

The fourth edition of the Tour de France Femmes takes the peloton on a nine-day journey from Brittany’s coastal hills to the towering climbs of the Alps. Covering 1,165 kilometers and 17,240 meters of elevation, this route favors climbers and aggressive riders, with only two real chances for sprinters and no time trial. It's a test of endurance, race intuition, and climbing strength.

Stage 1 – Saturday, July 26: Vannes – Plumelec (78,8 km)

A short but explosive opening stage through Brittany’s undulating terrain. After the Côte de Botségalo (0.8 km at 5.3%), the peloton enters a 13.9 km local circuit to be ridden twice. The iconic Côte de Cadoudal (1.7 km at 6.2%) — featuring ramps up to 9% — is tackled three times and hosts the uphill finish. A perfect launchpad for punchy riders to claim the first yellow jersey

Stage 2 – Sunday, July 27: Brest – Quimper (110,4 km)

Featuring 1,800 meters of climbing, this stage demands tactical finesse. Early ascents like Menez Quelerc’h (3 km at 6.2%) and the steep Côte de Locronan (0.8 km at 8.9%) inject tempo into the race. The finale in Quimper includes two laps of a punchy circuit with the Côte du Chemin de Trohéir (1.1 km at 5.7%), then a tricky final 500 meters at 7.5%. It’s a playground for explosive riders with sharp instincts.

Stage 3 – Monday, July 28: La Gacilly – Angers (163,5 km)

The longest flat stage, tailor-made for the sprinters. Only one climb — Côte de la Richardière (1.7 km at 4.6%) — disrupts the rhythm. Smooth roads through the Loire region lead to a textbook sprint showdown on Angers’ Boulevard Georges Clemenceau. Lead-out timing will be crucial.

Stage 4 – Tuesday, July 29: Saumur – Poitiers (130,7 km)

On paper a second sprint stage, but with subtle elevation changes. The Côte de Marigny (0.9 km at 5.4%) comes 30 km before the finish. The final kilometers resemble the layout of the 2020 men's stage won by Caleb Ewan, with a gentle uphill approach requiring sharp positioning.

Stage 5 – Wednesday, July 30: Futuroscope – Guéret (165,8 km)

After a long rolling start, the action ignites in the last 40 km. Riders face the Côte de Chabannes (1.4 km at 5.2%), followed by Côte du Peyroux (3.3 km at 4.3%), and the decisive Le Maupuy (2.8 km at 5.4%) — cresting just 6 km before the finish. A golden chance for attackers and GC hopefuls to make early moves.

Stage 6 – Thursday, July 31: Clermont-Ferrand – Ambert (123,7 km)

The first major mountain stage with 2,500 meters of climbing. It opens gently but builds toward five key climbs: Côte de Courpière (2.4 km at 5.8%), Côte d’Augerolles (3 km at 5.1%), Col du Béal (10.2 km at 5.6%), Col du Chansert (6.3 km at 5.5%), and finally Côte de Valcivières (4.5 km at 5.3%). A technical descent into Ambert offers no room for hesitation. Expect GC battles to ignite.

Stage 7 – Friday, August 1: Bourg-en-Bresse – Chambéry (159,7 km)

Flat for over 100 km before the terrain shifts. The riders hit Côte de Saint-Franc (3.8 km at 6.9%), then Côte de Berland (1.2 km at 7.2%), leading into Col du Granier (8.9 km at 5.4%) — a climb that unofficially begins earlier than noted. A fast 17.7 km descent into Chambéry suits aggressive riders and downhill specialists.

Stage 8 – Saturday, August 2: Chambéry – Col de la Madeleine (112 km)

The queen stage with 3,600 meters of elevation and relentless climbing. After the Col de Plainpalais (13.2 km at 6.3%), the peloton tackles Col du Frêne (2.4 km at 5.5%), then the Côte de Saint-Georges-d’Hurtières (4.8 km at 5.9%). The grand finale is the legendary Col de la Madeleine (18.6 km at 8.1%), with sections hitting 10%. A day of truth for the GC contenders.

Stage 9 – Sunday, August 3: Praz-sur-Arly – Châtel (124 km)

This finale is anything but ceremonial. Three brutal climbs define the day: Côte d’Arâches-la-Frasse (6.2 km at 7.1%), followed by the infamous Col de Joux Plane (11.6 km at 8.5%), and finally Col du Corbier (5.9 km at 8.5%). The last 2.2 km toward Pré-la-Joux climb at 5.6%. Expect fireworks until the very last meter

Favorites for the General Classification

The start list is not yet complete and will be updated throughout the week. For the general classification, last year's podium has been confirmed. Once again, Demi Vollering is the biggest favorite, supported by a very strong team of riders who, in another team, would likely be leaders themselves. They’re fully dedicated to riding in support of her. Kasia Niewiadoma is also present to defend her title. Last year, she narrowly managed to hold on to the yellow jersey in the final stage against a surging Demi and Pauline Rooijakkers, who finished third overall. 

Other challengers include Marlen Reusser, who has been doing very well with Movistar, with a win in Switzerland and second place in the Giro d’Italia. At SD Worx, both Lotte Kopecky and Anna van der Breggen could aim for high general classification standings, although in recent races they didn’t manage to contend for top spots. UAE-ADQ probably will have Elisa Longo Borghini as their GC leader, who already won the Giro d’Italia this year.

From the younger generation, we might see riders like Sarah Gigante, who finished third in the last Giro d’Italia, or Puck Pieterse, who used last year’s Tour de France to explore her capabilities. Cédrine Kerbaol has also shown promising results earlier this year. Lidl-Trek likely will have Niamh Fisher-Black as the team’s GC contender.

Favorites for the Sprint

There seem to be only two real sprint stages this year, stage 3 and stage 4. The earlier stages are more suited to puncheurs than pure sprinters. The clear top favorite is Lorena Wiebes, who may already compete for victory in the first stages. 

Other sprinters include Charlotte Kool, if her injuries from the crash on the final day of the Tour of Belgium are not too serious. Marianne Vos will also participate and is expected to go for victory in the tougher stages. Young talent Ally Wollaston has already won several sprints this year and will be eager to secure a win for her French team.

Once the start list is further updated, the general classification forecast will also be added.