A narrow margin before the great challenge

The 2026 Tour de France Femmes will reach one of the most important moments of the competition when the peloton arrives at Mont Ventoux, one of cycling’s most iconic mountains.

Marlen Reusser retains the yellow jersey with an advantage of just 12 seconds over Demi Vollering.

It will be Mont Ventoux’s first appearance on the route of the ASO-organized Tour de France Femmes, turning Stage 7 into a historic day for the competition.

The section that could break open the standings

The final six kilometers could become the most demanding part of the stage due to the lack of vegetation, the heat, exposure to the mistral wind, and the constant gradient that will accompany the peloton all the way to the finish.

So far, the gaps between the main favorites have been measured in seconds. However, a crisis on the slopes of Ventoux could result in losses of several minutes and completely transform the general classification.

Two contrasting styles go head-to-head

Reusser and Vollering arrive at the decisive moment with very different profiles.

The Swiss rider stands out for her ability to maintain a high pace over long periods and for her performance against the clock. After winning the world title in the discipline in Rwanda, she focused much of her season on arriving at the French race in the best possible condition.

Her strategy allowed her to claim the yellow jersey after the 21-kilometer time trial finishing in Dijon, but she will now have to defend it in a completely different setting.

A quiet day before the battle

Before the arrival of the high mountains, Kim Le Court won Stage 6 between Montbrison and Tournon-sur-Rhône, contested over a 153.4-kilometer route.

The Mauritian champion won the sprint from a group of eight riders that reached the finish 28 seconds ahead of the peloton containing the favorites.

Reusser, Vollering, and Niewiadoma avoided any significant time gaps during the stage and retained their positions ahead of a day that promises to mark a turning point in the competition.