Tour de France Femmes 2025 stage one preview: A punchy start

Date: Saturday, July 26
Distance: 79km
Start location: Vannes
Finish location: Plumelec
Start time: 17:25 CEST
Finish time: 19:27 CEST (approx.) 

Stage one of the 2025 Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift begins in the heart of Brittany, starting from the medieval port city of Vannes and finishing in Plumelec, a village steeped in cycling history. This region of Morbihan is known for its deep Celtic roots, scenic farmland, and passionate roadside fans. From ancient stone monuments to Breton music and local pride, the opening stage will be rich in atmosphere and heritage. 

Vannes was originally a fortified Roman town called Darioritum and later became the political heart of medieval Brittany. Its well-preserved 13th–17th century ramparts surround 170 half‑timbered houses in the old town, earning it the Ville d’Art et d’Histoire label in 1992. The finish town of Plumelec has hosted numerous stage finishes of the men’s race over the years. 

The 79km route is short but far from easy. After rolling north through lumpy terrain, the peloton tackles the Côte de Botségalo before entering a finishing circuit in Plumelec, where the Côte de Cadoudal awaits them not once, but three times. This 1.7 km climb, averaging 6.2% with a steep final pitch, will decide the stage – and the first yellow jersey. It’s a day for the puncheurs, not the sprinters, and fireworks are all but guaranteed on the final ascent.

Contenders

A punchy start to the Tour de France Femmes will see a desperate fight for the first yellow jersey of the race, and the GC contenders riding cautiously to avoid needlessly losing any time to their rivals early on in the race.

The final ascent to the line is steep enough – with pitches of 10% – to put the pure sprinters into trouble, though Lorena Wiebes (SD Worx-Protime) has shown herself more than capable on short, punchy ascents and could be a real favourite if she's able to stick with any attacks.

Her teammate Lotte Kopecky will likewise be in contention, boasting a powerful sprint as well as incredible versatility that has seen her take two World Championship road race titles in a row.

Marianne Vos (Visma-Lease a Bike) will hope things come down to a reduced uphill sprint too, and that her turn of speed can deliver her first Tour stage win since 2022.

Vos's young compatriot Puck Pieterse (Fenix-Deceuninck) has had her best year yet on the road bike, culminating in a fine victory at Flèche Wallonne in the sprint. She has strong finish on punchy uphills like this, so will be a strong favourite for the first yellow jersey of the race.

Likewise, Lianne Lippert (Movistar) has the credentials for victory in Plumelec, having won on a similar style finish ahead of Kopecky in an uphill sprint in 2023.

Elsewhere, Chloe Dygert (Canyon-SRAM-Zondacrypto), Karlijn Swinkels (UAE Team ADQ), and Mischa Bredewold (SW Worx-Protime) could all be contenders depending on how the race plays out.

Of course, the GC contenders can never be counted out on and stage featuring climbs, with Demi Vollering (FDJ-Suez), Kasia Niewiadoma (Canyon-SRAM-Zondacrypto), Elisa Longo Borghini (UAE Team ADQ), and Marlen Reusser (Movistar) all capable of a victory here.

Prediction

We think Puck Pieterse will win the opening stage and take the yellow jersey.