Debut Tour de France Femmes highlights Brodie Chapman as a standout performer, despite another rider's arrest
UAE Team ADQ Shines in Tour de France Femmes
In the ongoing 2025 Tour de France Femmes, UAE Team ADQ has displayed a strong and strategic performance, particularly evident in the breakout success of Maeva Squiban and solid GC riding by Dominika Wlodarczyk.
Maeva Squiban's aggressive tactics have been the team's highlight, earning her consecutive stage victories on stages 6 and 7 with solo attacks. Her resilience, demonstrated by holding her lead despite peloton pressure, has fueled the team's visibility and morale. Squiban's efforts have also earned her multiple combativity awards and national praise.
Dominika Wlodarczyk, the team's GC hopeful, has shown consistent climbing and positioning, moving up to 7th place overall and finishing 4th in the final general classification. Squiban's strong climbing support during the grueling alpine climbs, such as the Col de la Madeleine, has been instrumental in Wlodarczyk's success.
The team's strategy has focused on early attacks in stages to gain visibility and mountain support for their GC contender. This adaptive approach, focusing on opportunistic stage wins and GC ambitions, has allowed UAE Team ADQ to remain a prominent team in the race despite losing their initial leader, Elisa Longo Borghini.
Brodie Chapman, a member of UAE Team ADQ, was awarded the prize for the most combative rider on stage 5. Chapman bridged to the breakaway group, helped to increase their advantage to a maximum of 4:30 with 70km to go, and attacked from the front group on the penultimate climb. However, Chapman was swept up at the bottom of the final ascent, around 11km to go. Chapman did not express any regret about her attempt, indicating a willingness to try again.
Francesca Barale initiated the day's breakaway, and was joined by three other riders. Chapman believed Barale deserved the most combative award, as she initiated the day's breakaway. Maeve Squiban, Chapman's French teammate, also made an attempt to get away at the same point.
UAE Team ADQ has faced setbacks in the Tour de France Femmes with the withdrawals of Elisa Longo Borghini, Eleonora Gasparrini, and Karlijn Swinkels. Despite these challenges, the team has shown resilience and adaptability, positioning themselves well in the race.
Brodie Chapman started her European career at FDJ Nouvelle Aquitaine Futuroscope, and previously represented this team.
The stage of the Tour de France Femmes was the longest of the event at 165.8km. The race still has four stages remaining, providing ample opportunities for UAE Team ADQ to continue their strong performances.
[1] Tour de France Femmes - Stage 6: Squiban Wins Again [2] Tour de France Femmes - Stage 7: Squiban Takes Another Victory [3] Tour de France Femmes - Stage 5: Chapman Wins Combativity Award [4] Tour de France Femmes - Stage 6: Squiban's Aggressive Riding Earns Combativity Award [5] Tour de France Femmes - Stage 7: Squiban's Resilience Earns National Praise
Road cycling is a sport that UAE Team ADQ has excelled at in the Tour de France Femmes. Their strategic performances, led by Maeva Squiban's consecutive stage victories on stages 6 and 7, showcase the team's prowess in this sport.
