2025's Tour de France Femmes with Zwift: A More Challenging and Extended Route in terms of Distance and Difficulty
Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift 2025: A Mountainous Journey Through France
The 2025 Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift is set to be an exciting nine-stage race, marking the longest edition yet. From July 26 to August 3, the competition will traverse Brittany and the Haute-Savoie Alps, covering a total distance of 1,165 km with 17,240 meters of climbing.
The Race's Journey
The tour begins in Vannes, Brittany, with Stage 1, a 78.8 km hilly route favouring a sprint finish in Plumelec. As the race progresses, it becomes highly mountainous in the final three stages, crucial for deciding the overall yellow jersey. The race concludes in the Alps in Châtel les Portes du Soleil after nine days of racing.
Mountainous Terrain Awaits
The race's final stages are particularly challenging, with the significant summit finish on the Col de la Madeleine, featuring 3,540 meters of climbing over 117 km, in Stage 8. Stage 7 is a transition day bordering on a full-blown mountain stage, with a 1,100m col in the final 20km.
Amateur Cycling Event
In addition to the professional race, the event includes L'Étape du Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift, an amateur cycling event allowing thousands of participants to ride a portion of the route on closed roads. Options include a 117 km route with 3,540 meters of elevation gain or a shorter 98 km route with 3,050 meters of elevation.
Top Contenders
Some of the top contenders for the yellow jersey include defending champion Kasia Niewiadoma, 2023 winner Demi Vollering, Pauline Ferrand-Prevot, and Elisa Longo Borghini among others. The race features 22 teams and 154 riders from multiple nations.
Stage-by-Stage Breakdown
Stage 5 is a puncheur's stage, with an uphill finish, while Stage 6 seems ideal for a breakaway. The Col du Beal (10.2km at 5.6%) is the day's big test, followed by the Col du Chansert (6.3km at 5.5%) and a sprint for bonus seconds after a hill with just over 10km to go. The route starts relatively flat, becoming hilly after about 80km, with an intermediate sprint at 127km. Two fourth-category climbs follow: Côte de Chabannes (1.4km at 5.2%) and Côte du Peyroux (3.3km at 4.3%).
Stage 8, the Queen Stage, features a finish atop the Col de la Madeleine in the Alps. Potential winners of this stage include Demi Vollering (FDJ-SUEZ), Elisa Longo Borghini (UAE Team ADQ), Niamh Fisher-Black (Lidl-Trek), and Puck Pieterse (Fenix-Deceuninck).
Stage 6 begins the mountain stages, heading southeast within the Puy-de-Dôme department. The stage includes the first-category Côte d'Arâches-la-Frasse, the hors catégorie Col de Joux Plane, and the Col du Corbier. A bonus sprint is offered on the third-category Le Maupuy (2.8km at 5.4%). The day's first classified climb comes after 37km, the Côte de Courpière (1.7km at 6.8%).
Looking Ahead
As the Tour de France Femmes heads towards the Alps, Stage 5 moves south-east, featuring punchy climbs in the finale, potentially splitting the race. The race is shaping up to be a competitive and mountainous event, emphasizing elevation and challenging climbs more than previous editions.
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