Bonjour and welcome to to Cyclingnews' live coverage of stage 6 of the Tour de France Femmes!
The race heads back into the hills after what was an extremely chaotic stage yesterday. Vollering (SDW) crashing in yellow and dropping to ninth in GC handing yellow to Niewiadoma (CSR) with Vollering's SD Worx-Protime teammate, Vas, taking the win. The race has been really shaken up.
Unfortunately, yesterday's crash has seen a couple of riders leave the race. British champion, Pfeiffer Georgi (DFP), Canadian rider Magdeleine Vallieres (EFO) and former Polish champion Marta Lach (WNT).
First of the usual newsroom recap is an update on Georgi (DFP) after the crash...
It was a sigh of relief for Vollering and SD Worx-Protime as the defending champion has no serious injuries...
Puck Pieterse (FED) dropped to third after crashing, holds onto polka dots and white but misses out on yellow chance...
Lightning did not strike twice between Vas (SDW) and Faulkner (EFO) as the Olympic champion tried her trademark attack once again in the final kilometres yesterday...
Mixed emotions for new yellow jersey, Kasia Niewiadoma (CSR)...
SD Worx-Protime had a very chaotic final few kilometres with Bredewold the only one to drop back and support Vollering after crash...
The team presentation and sign on is well underway in Remiremont...
The jerseys going into the sixth stage of the race:
"And it was all yellow...." New yellow Canyon bike and helmet for Niewiadoma (CSR)...
Happy 24th birthday to Victoire Berteau (COF)!
Neutral start
Delayed start after the race waits for a rider to rejoin the peloton after a crash. We do not know who went down just yet.
159.2km to go
The early attacks have been dragged back and the peloton is all together again.
It is a beautiful day in France as the riders have lovely sunshine and 26 degrees C temperatures with a light 7kph wind currently coming from the their right side.
Just over 5km to the first climb of the day, the 3.2km at 5.9% category 3 climb of the Col du Mont de Fourche.
The last time a race went over the Col du Mont de Fourche, it was in 2012 at the men's Tour de France. Chris Froome won the day ahead of Cadel Evans and eventual GC winner Bradley Wiggins on the Planche des Belles Filles.
150km to go
Some riders already losing touch with the peloton on the early slopes of the first climb of the day. It will be a very long stage for them.
Attacks in the peloton with around 500 metres to the top of the climb.
Green jersey dropped
Attack
Crash!
Nine riders are chasing Ghekiere (AGS) with a gap of just 5", but the peloton is chasing.
Ten riders now lead the way and have 25" on the chasing peloton. A good sized group if they are willing to work.
Breakaway:
140km to go
QoM (Col du Mont de Fourche)
Visma-Lease a Bike, who have missed this move, are leading the chase with the gap dropping to 18".
Chloe Dygert (CSR) is key for Kasia Niewiadoma (CSR) keeping yellow today as the time trial world champion looks after the yellow jersey. Gap between the break and the peloton now down to just 12".
After Silvia Persico (UAD) took those two points, she now passes Puck Pieterse (FED) in the virtual QoM standings once again.
Breakaway caught
130km to go
New moves off the front involving riders from St. Michel-Mavic-Auber93 and Movistar.
Those latest attacks quickly dragged back and the peloton is all together yet again.
Multiple attacks off the front of the peloton but each one is being brought back.
Just under 60km to go until the next QoM of the day, the Col de Ferrière.
Attack
Two riders now have a small gap on the peloton.
Yara Kastelijn (FED) was one of the riders who went down in the earlier crash on the first QoM. She has just returned to the peloton now.
120km to go
Cordon-Ragot (HPH) and Blanco (LAB) have a gap of 30" over the peloton now.
The gap is growing to 40" for Cordon-Ragot (HPH) and Blanco (LAB). It is a good group to allow a good gap as neither are dangerous in the GC with Cordon-Ragot at 19'28" and Blanco at 22'33".
Arkea-B&B Hotels chasing and closes the gap as now there is a new counter move in the pack as the gap falls to 30".
A group of around 10 riders have a gap of 25" from the front and 5" on the peloton.
The chasers now at 15" from the leading duo with the peloton a further 10" behind the chase.
Two more riders bridge to the counter move as the gaps continue to shrink between the leaders, the chase and the peloton.
Now two chasing groups with around 15 riders chasing the leading duo.
Breakaway comes together with 14 riders leading with a gap of just 15" on the peloton.
The peloton now 25" behind the 14 rider break.
100km to go
Best placed rider in the break is cyclocross world champion, Fem van Empel (TVL), sitting 4'45" back on Kasia Niewiadoma's yellow jersey.
Currently experiencing a period of radio silence, literally. Last update of the gap was 30" and that doesn't seem to have changed. A very strong breakaway with several riders more than capable of winning.
90km to go
A birthday breakaway for Victoire Berteau (COF)...
Four rider bridge the gap:
The gap has grown to 1'55" between the peloton and the breakaway.
So, 18 riders are clear with almost 2'00" on the peloton. Mariannne Vos (TVL) is now by far the best placed rider in the break at just 1'59" down on Kasia Niewiadoma's (CSR) jersey.
The gap is up to 2'15". Marianne Vos (TVL) is the virtual yellow jersey.
The gap goes out to 2'35" between this extremely strong breakaway and the peloton.
Now just 10km to th second climb of the day, the Col de Ferrière. Last time a race went over this climb was in stage six of the 2021 Paris-Nice where Primož Roglič won an uphill sprint into Biot.
The race go onto the Col de Ferrière climb. 2.6km at 4.7% average gradient.
Two hours raced and the average speed is at 42.2kph. The gap is at 2'35" between the break and the peloton.
The gap is still extending and is now at 2'48" between the break and the peloton.
Canyon-SRAM leading the peloton with the time gap dropping to 2'09".
70km to go
Multiple teams now on the front of the peloton with a gap of 2'07" up to the breakaway who are set to sweet up the QoM points.
QoM (Col de Ferrière)
That acceleration for the QoM points, Ghekiere (AGS), Vos (TVL) and Koch (DFP) have a small gap.
But the break comes back together again. 2'18" back to the peloton who only now crest the climb. The next point of interest is the intermediate sprint in Sancey. Just around 8km to go until that.
Charlotte Kool (DFP) has just made it back to the peloton. Unfortunately for her, she will likely be losing 25 points in her lead to Marianne Vos (TVL) who is in the breakaway.
Canyon-SRAM, Fenix-Deceuninck and Lidl-Trek leading the peloton. 2'23" gap up to the break.
60km to go
Van Empel (TVL) leading out Vos (TVL) for the intermediate sprint with Koch (DFP) and Ahtosalo (UXM) challenging her.
Intermediate sprint (Sancey)
Straight onto the next QoM of the Côte de Laviron. Category 3 climb which is 5.7km long with an average gradient of 4.1%.
Liv-AlUla-Jayco leading the peloton at 2'40" back on the break.
Dropped from peloton
The peloton are closing the gap to the break. The gap is now sat at 1'37" with 54km to go.
QoM (Côte de Laviron)
Now 25km to the next QoM of La Roche du Prêtre. It is a category two climb, so five, three, two and one points available.
Justine Ghekiere (AGS) is now the virtual QoM leader after taking the points today. Plenty more points to come, though.
50km to go
Riders currently on a very technical descent on their way down to the valley before the penultimate climb of the day.
40km to go
The race is about to head onto the next climb, La Roche du Prêtre. It is a category 2 climb so a maximum of 5 points. Just 1'35" between the break and the peloton now.
Charlotte Kool (DFP) makes it back to the peloton with Barbieri (DFP), Roseman-Gannon (LAJ) and Guarischi (SDW). They have been fighting hard today.
Lidl-Trek, Movistar and SD Worx-Protime leading the peloton as the time gap continues to fall to the break with it now at 1'28". Yesterday's stage winner, Blanka Vas (SDW) working hard for her teammate, Vollering (SDW).
Onto the next climb La Roche du Prêtre. Fem van Empel (TVL) leading the break onto the climb. It will not be long at all before the peloton start the climb. They are 1'22" behind. Immediately the climb goes onto 9% with 11% right at the end of the climb.
It is another climb where the QoM sprint isn't at the top but half way up as the bonus sprint is at the top of the climb. A brief bit of rest bite then onto another climb.
Attack in peloton
Van Empel (TVL), Majerus (SDW), Berton (WNT), Pate (LAJ), Ahtosalo (UXM), De Wilde (FED), Van Dijk (LTK), Cordon-Ragot (HPH) and Berteau (COF) dropped from the break.
30km to go
Attack in break
FDJ-Suez absolutely ripping the peloton to bits as they catch Fem van Empel (TVL), Nina Berton (WNT) and Christine Majerus (SDW).
Sheyla Gutierrez (MOV) claws her way back onto the lead group and drops Marianne Vos (TVL) for now.
SD Worx-Protime lose another rider from the peloton as Mischa Bredewold is distanced. Christine Majerus probably won't be far off being dropped as well after a long ride in the breakaway.
FDJ-Suez have decimated the peloton now. Muzic (FST) is the rider they will be working for but they could also be working for the stage win with Ludwig (FST) as well.
Ah, De Wilde (FED), Cordon-Ragot (HPH) and Majerus (SDW) getting caught by the peloton now.
FDJ-Suez continues to lead the peloton as Mavi Garcia (LAJ) is finally caught by Lea Curinier (FST).
Attack in break
FDJ-Suez no longer setting the tempo. Gaia Realini (LTK) and Puck Pieterse (FED) come to the front.
QoM (La Roche du Prêtre)
Fisher-Black (SDW) kicked on again and Brown (FST) was able to catch her. However, Ghekiere (AGS) shook her head as she wasn't able to follow any more.
Attack in peloton
Amazingly, Justine Ghekiere (AGS) makes it back to the leaders. This is yet another superbly gutsy ride by the Belgian.
Movistar working hard on the front of the peloton and they drag Bunel (AUB) back.
Bonus sprint (Le Mont Sianet)
20km to go
The riders are about to start the final climb of the day, the Côte des Fins. It is category 3 climb that is 1.8km long with an average gradient of 6.9%. Should be a big moment for the GC riders as Arkea-B&B Hotels take over the lead of the bunch, interestingly.
Attack in break and peloton
Smulder (LAJ), Kerbaol (WNT), Muzic (FST) and Niewiadome (CSR) followed the move by Labous (DFP) well with Vollering (SDW) being the one to close things down.
Attack
Break caught
Dropped by peloton
Attack
QoM (Côte des Fins)
Attack
Cédrine Kerbaol (WNT) has distanced Pauliena Rooijakkers (FED) on the descent. Behind, Juliette Labous (DFP) leads the peloton down the descent.
Marianne Vos (TVL) is just off the back of the GC group and is riding flat out to try and get back into contention for the stage win.
10km to go
Caught
Cédrine Kerbaol (WNT) is absolutely flying down this descent. She is pulling out the gap and now has 32" on the chasing GC group. This French rider could be flying up the GC, taking the stage and, maybe, take yellow? She is just 15" in the virtual standings.
Neve Bradbury (CSR) finally moves up to help Lea Curinier (FST) on the front of the peloton as Cédrine Kerbaol (WNT) was edging a bit too close to Kasia Niewiadoma's (CSR) yellow jersey.
5km to go
3km to go for Cédrine Kerbaol (WNT) as her gap falls to 36".
2km to go. Cédrine Kerbaol (WNT) still has a gap of 34" on the chasing GC group.
Flamme Rouge
500 metres to go for Kerbaol (WNT). The gap isn't really closing enough but several riders are starting to push her behind to lead out teammates.
Cédrine Kerbaol (WNT) wins stage six of the Tour de France Femmes 2024! The first French stage winner at the race.
Behind, unsurprisingly, Marianne Vos (TVL) flies to second place with Liane Lippert (MOV) in third. Marianne Vos is the new green jersey.
Stage six top 10
General Classification after stage six
Marianne Vos (TVL) very nearly had the absolutely perfect day. She won the intermediate sprint, taking her level on points with Charlotte Kool (DFP) in the fight for green.
What a moment for Cédrine Kerbaol and Ceratizit-WNT. The first French stage winner in the Tour de France Femmes.
Our post race report is online now! Make sure to keep going back to it as it'll be updated with reactions and more infor as the afternoon goes on...
Kasia Niewiadoma (CSR) had a really good day as she defended her yellow jersey well, only losing time to Kerbaol (WNT) as well as Vos (TVL) and Lippert (MOV), neither of whom shoudl pose a threat in the mountains this weekend.
Marianne Vos (TVL) goes into the lead of the point standings with just two stages remaining. The winner of the green jersey in 2022 will be hoping for another victory in the classification this year.
Puck Pieterse (FED) loses both the polka dot jersey and her podium position after today but, she does keep the white jersey as the race heads to the mountains.
Justin Ghekiere (AGS) goes into the polka dot jersey after yet another brilliant breakaway ride.
As well as winning the stage, Cédrine Kerbaol (WNT) also takes the most combative rider prize and will wear the green number tomorrow.
-
Women's WorldTour – The definitive guide for 2024
Everything you need to know about the professional racing series teams, points, races and standings -
2024 Gravel National Champions index
Who is your 2024 gravel champion? From the US to Britain and Australia to Canada find out the riders in the national stripes -
Carolin Schiff wins second German gravel national crown in debatable move to beat reigning Unbound champ Rosa Klöser
'A hard pill to swallow, but not against the rules' says disappointed runner-up in women's race
-
Remco Evenepoel leads Belgian team at Zurich World Championships
'Remco will do everything to make his ambitions come true' says National Coach Sven Vanthourenhout -
Tadej Pogačar returns racing to target World Championships and triple crown
Road to the rainbow jersey runs via GP Cycliste de Québec and Montréal in Canada -
Kim Le Court skips Worlds, ends season early to recover from injured wrist
Injury caused by a crash during the Spring Classics
-
Primož Roglič's Vuelta a España victory was inevitable - Philippa York's analysis
Ben O'Connor was courageous and defiant but the Slovenian was always going to win his fourth Vuelta -
UCI Gravel World Series – Hugo Drechou outsprints Petr Vakoč and Torbjørn Røed to win Alpine Gravel Challenge
Morgan Aguirre earns solo victory in pro women's division in Swiss race -
Types of road bike: Your drop-bar options unpacked
All the different categories of road bikes explained
