2025 Tour de France Women: Maëva Squiban Celebrates Double Victory
Maëva Squiban's Tour de France Triumph
Maëva Squiban, a 23-year-old French cycling sensation, has made history in the Tour de France Femmes, securing two consecutive stage victories and establishing herself as a rising star in the world of professional road cycling.
Squiban's journey to the top has been marked by resilience and determination. In 2022, her first Tour de France ended prematurely due to a training accident, where she was hit by a car and had to take two months off running. Yet, her helmet saved her life, and she returned stronger than ever.
The turning point came in the 2025 edition of the Tour de France Femmes. On Thursday, Squiban soloed to victory, claiming her first career stage win on the Grande Boucle. The race saw a significant lead build up on a peloton that was advancing at a steady pace. As the road began to rise, the gap was over five minutes. Squiban reached the last summit, the col du Granier (17 kilometers from the finish), alone, and crossed the line with nearly a minute's lead over her compatriot Cédrine Kerbaol.
The following day, Squiban made another daring escape at the departure from Bourg-en-Bresse. Her Friday escape included a dozen or so riders, including Marie Le Net, the recent French champion, and Lotte Kopecky, the double world champion. Despite the formidable competition, Squiban proved to be more powerful, fresher, and stronger than her companions as the kilometers ticked by, and the bodies began to tire.
In the descent leading to Chambéry, Squiban rode at speeds over 80 km/h to secure another victory. This impressive feat marked only the second time in three and a half editions of the Tour de France that a Frenchwoman had managed to win a stage. Squiban's achievements have positioned her as a promising future contender for the overall Tour de France Femmes title and have captivated the French cycling community.
Maëva Squiban's career began impressively early. At 17, she won the Chrono des Nations Juniors and earned several podium placements in national junior championships by 2019. These early achievements signaled her potential as a strong competitor in stage races and time trials. Today, she rides for the UAE Team ADQ World Tour team and has secured two UCI wins, ranking 118th in the UCI World Ranking as of mid-2025.
Despite the team's recent setbacks, with three out of seven UAE-ADQ riders having to abandon the Tour de France due to injuries, Squiban's victories have provided a much-needed morale boost. After her Thursday and Friday victories, Squiban shared photos and videos of her wins on her social media, including one with her remaining teammates popping a bottle of champagne. The team might have had another bottle of champagne on ice for the celebration.
Squiban's journey from a promising junior cyclist to a Tour de France stage winner is a testament to her dedication and talent. Her remarkable performances on medium mountain terrains, punchy climbs, and descents have rapidly raised her profile as one of the best climbers in women's cycling globally. As she continues to make history in the Tour de France Femmes, Maëva Squiban is undoubtedly a name to watch in the world of professional road cycling.
Squiban's success in the Tour de France Femmes demonstrates her prowess in sports, with two consecutive stage victories showcasing her dominance in professional road cycling.
Her inspiring journey from a junior cyclist to a Tour de France stage winner underscores her dedication and talent, positioning her as one of the best climbers in women's sports globally.
