Key events

5m agoLieke Nooijen sets a strong pace with the quickest time so far
3h agoPreamble

Following the ice sock update.

Riders in the Tour de France Femmes faced additional clothing inspections ahead of Tuesday’s stage after reports suggested some might be adding extra padding in their bras for better aerodynamics.
A statement from the race organizers verified the inspections after Dutch source Wielerflits noted that certain teams had expressed worries about padded bras potentially improving airflow during the stage four time trial.
“Riders must complete final checks before the race (bikes and outfit) no later than 10 minutes before their start time,” the statement said.
“Special focus will go to article 1.3.032 of the UCI rules, covering non-essential items and clothing or accessories (including helmets, glasses, shoes or communication devices) that might alter a rider’s shape.”

Backstedt moves quickly, passing several riders ahead. Her split times are expected soon.

Lieke Nooijen sets a strong pace with the quickest time so far

Lieke Nooijen moves into the lead, the Visma rider clocking 27’34”, 51 seconds ahead of Claes. Mischa Bredewold finishes second but trails by 41 seconds, staying close to her SD Worx–Protime teammate. Was drafting involved?

The British rider, Zoe Backstedt, from a cycling family with a Paris-Roubaix winner father and a UK champion mother, starts her effort. She excels in time trials, holding a junior world title.

Images of arriving riders reveal the intense effort required in these conditions. Reports indicate ice socks are prohibited here as they melt quickly and are not allowed for aerodynamic reasons.

Strong performance by Millie Couzens, finishing in 28’38”, second overall and 13 seconds behind her Fenix-Premier Tech teammate Lotte Claes. The rider from Banbury shows real potential.

Lotte Claes claims the fastest time, another strong Belgian effort at 28’25”, improving by 24 seconds on Tas. This stands as a solid mark with temperatures at 32 degrees in Dijon.

No time trial occurred last year but in 2024, Demi Vollering won on home roads in Rotterdam during a Tour she ultimately lost by four seconds to Katarzyna Niewiadoma.

More than half the field has started, with 70 riders off and 41 finished, Tas still ahead. It will take a strong ride to top that mark.

Sandrine Tas of Lotto Intermarché sets a new standard in Dijon at 28’49”, just under a second quicker than Le Mouël. The Belgian leads for now.

Live coverage has begun on television. The rural scenery looks beautiful under the drone cameras.

With 10 riders finished, Célia Le Mouël from Ma Petite Entreprise leads at 28’50”, the French time trial champion posting an early target.

From the official site: “World and European ITT champion Marlen Reusser (Movistar Team) will show her skills starting at 17:08 CEST. Another continental champion, Kristen Faulkner (EF Education-Oatly), won the ITT at the Pan American Championships in March. Twelve national champions ride today.”

15:00 – Célia Le Mouël, France
15:18 – Yuliia Biriukova, Ukraine
15:22 – Daniek Hengeveld, Netherlands
15:38 – Lotte Claes, Belgium
15:48 – Nina Berton, Luxembourg
15:51 – Franziska Koch, Germany
16:19 – Mireia Benito, Spain
16:24 – Nadia Gontova, Canada
16:29 – Zoe Bäckstedt, Great Britain
16:40 – Katrine Aalerud, Norway
16:42 – Dominika Wlodarczyk, Poland
17:26 – Kim Le Court-Pienaar, Mauritius

The first of 138 riders is Romina Hinojosa of Cruzlotto Intermarche, who struggled on stage three. Her team posted: “We did it” Romina Hinojosa and Dina Boels endured one of the toughest days in the Tour de France Femmes, losing three riders. Dina and Romina worked together over 60 kilometers to finish inside the time cut.

Today’s stage map comes from the official site.

Monday featured that impressive breakaway win.

Haugset’s solo attack caught the main teams off guard, and ahead of the 21km time trial from Gevrey-Chambertin to Dijon she leads by 2 minutes 2 seconds over Kim Le Court.
“I thought about my teammates and fans at home, so I gave everything,” she said. “All in the Norwegian champion jersey too – it feels great.
“We planned for this stage as a goal for the Tour. I told my father I would bring flowers today. Tomorrow is the time trial but I have not trained for it this year so I will just enjoy the ride.”

GC before stage four

1 S Haugset Ytterhus (Nor) Uno-X Mobility 11h 17:56s
2 K Le Court (Fra) AG Insurance-Soudal Team +2m 02s
3 D Vollering (Ned) FDJ United-SUEZ +2:06
4 N Ruegg (Swi) EF Education-Oatly +2:10
5 M Vos (Ned) Team Visma | Lease a Bike same time

Preamble

Time trial stages often shift the standings and today’s should follow that pattern.

How much did Monday’s long breakaway by Sigrid Haugset cost her energy? How will her rivals respond? Her two-minute lead could vanish on a stage that poses real challenges.

The route includes hills with a 2km climb midway. Top overall contenders like defending champion Pauline Ferrand-Prevot and Demi Vollering finished together nearly three minutes behind Haugset yesterday.

First riders start around 1.30 UK time or 2.30 local. Join me.