Kim Le Court, a 30-year-old cyclist from Mauritius, won the sixth stage of the Tour de France Femmes on Thursday, August 6, finishing in Tournon-sur-Rhône in the southern French region of Ardèche. Despite suffering a crash early in the race and experiencing mechanical difficulties that forced her to switch bicycles just 15 kilometers from the finish line, Le Court managed to secure victory in a sprint against French rider Cédrine Kerbaol and Dutch competitor Puck Pieterse. She was part of a group of eight breakaway riders who attempted to take control of the race, though they were eventually overtaken by the main peloton. This marks Le Court’s second success on the Grand Boucle, having previously won a stage in Guéret during the 2025 edition of the race. The race unfolded under challenging conditions, with the 153-kilometer route from Montbrison to Tournon-sur-Rhône featuring several climbs and technical sections. Le Court, riding for AG Insurance-Soudal, demonstrated resilience after being forced to regroup with Dutch rider Riejanne Markus near the final climb, approximately 10 kilometers from the finish. There, she joined a small group of six attackers before pushing hard in the final meters to claim the win. “It was really a crazy stage,” Le Court said afterward. “The team did such a great job positioning me at the front of the race that I couldn’t give up the fight.” Swiss rider Marlen Reusser, who competes for Movistar, retained the overall lead in the race, maintaining a 12-second advantage over Dutch rider Demi Vollering and a 1 minute and 17 seconds lead over Polish cyclist Kasia Niewiadoma. The top contenders for the final standings finished 28 seconds behind the winning group, indicating that the competition remains tightly contested heading into the penultimate stage. The seventh and final stage of the race will take place on Friday, August 7, and will feature one of the most iconic climbs in cycling, the Mont Ventoux. Known as the “Géant de Provence,” the mountain has long been a symbol of endurance and strength in the sport. For the first time in the history of the Women’s Tour de France, the race will tackle the notoriously steep and demanding ascent from the village of Bédoin, covering 15.7 kilometers at an average gradient of 8.8 percent. This stage, referred to as the “queen stage” due to its significance, will determine the final standings and crown the overall winner. The race has continued to gain momentum throughout the week, with organizers highlighting the growing recognition of women’s cycling. The inclusion of the Mont Ventoux in this year’s schedule represents a major step forward for the sport, offering female cyclists a chance to compete on one of the most prestigious routes in professional cycling. The event has drawn widespread attention, with media outlets from around the world covering the progress of the riders and their challenges along the route. As the race moves toward its climax, the focus remains on the performance of the leading riders, particularly Reusser, who has shown consistency and determination throughout the competition. With the final stage set to test both physical and mental endurance, the outcome of the Tour de France Femmes will likely be decided in the hours leading up to the arrival at the summit of Mont Ventoux.
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