World-class rock climber Maeva Squiban, causing a stir in the Tour de France Femmes.
Maeva Squiban, a 23-year-old cyclist from Brest, Brittany, has made a stunning comeback at the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift this year. After a disappointing debut in 2022 that ended prematurely due to a crash resulting in a broken sacrum, Squiban is now making headlines with her impressive performances.
Riding for UAE Team ADQ, Squiban has proven her mettle in the high mountains, taking QOM points atop the Côte de Saint-Franc and Côte de Berland. But her most significant achievement so far has been winning her first stage victory of the Tour on the Col du Chansert, delivering France its first stage victory of the Tour.
Squiban's wins in Stages 6 and 7 of the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift were deliberate and confident, showcasing her climbing prowess and tactical confidence. She delivered a masterclass on the descent of the Col du Granier, reaching speeds of 90kph.
Squiban's performance has significantly improved UAE Team ADQ's Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift experience. Despite the setback of team leader Elisa Longo Borghini's illness after winning her second Giro d'Italia Women, Squiban has stepped up to the challenge.
Currently, Squiban is sitting seven minutes down on the General Classification (GC) with two brutal mountain stages ahead. However, her second place in the Queen of the Mountains (QOM) classification gives her a chance to secure a polka dot jersey, which would be a nice momento for her breakout performance.
Dominika Włodarczyk of UAE Team ADQ is in 11th place overall, less than 2 minutes behind yellow-jersey wearer Kim Le Court-Pienaar. With Squiban's consistent performances and the team's resilience, UAE Team ADQ's Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift may still have a chance for a General Classification victory.
Squiban started cycling at 13 and quickly stood out in her local club in Brittany. In 2019, she won a silver medal at the French junior national time trial championships and a win at the Chrono des Nations juniors. She joined the Stade Rochelais Charente-Maritime continental team as a stagiaire in 2020 and received a full-time contract in 2021. UAE Team ADQ scooped her up for a two-year deal ahead of the 2025 season, primarily to support and learn from team leader Elisa Longo Borghini.
Squiban is renowned for her climbing ability, aggressive racing style, and fearless attacks. Her sports director, Cherie Pridham, has praised her confidence and attacking spirit, noting she often initiates breakaways and rides aggressively rather than waiting for tactical situations. Squiban is described as a "pocket rocket" with excellent descending skills and a fearless approach to racing.
As the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift continues, all eyes will be on Maeva Squiban to see if she can maintain her form and secure even more victories. Her performances so far have proven that she is a rising star in women's cycling, recognized for her climbing strength and bold racing style, rising swiftly from a promising junior to a multiple-stage winner at the highest level of women's cycling within a few years.
Maeva Squiban's stunning performances in the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift, marked by her deliberate and confident wins in Stages 6 and 7, have showcased her rising prominence in the world of sports and cycling. Her aggressive racing style and climbing prowess have earned her recognition as a rising star in women's cycling, positioning her as a key contender for future competitions.
