Ahead of the decisive mountain stages, Reusser’s lead over Vollering has been reduced to just twelve seconds.
After Reusser claimed the yellow jersey in Tuesday’s individual time trial, Vollering responded on stage five. The Dutch rider won the sprint from a three-rider group ahead of Reusser and Katarzyna Niewiadoma-Phinney. Reusser remained at the top of the general classification, but her advantage was cut to twelve seconds.
Vollering Wins the Head-to-Head Battle
The 140-kilometre fifth stage from Mâcon to Belleville-en-Beaujolais featured eight categorised climbs and produced the first major selection among the overall contenders. On the final demanding kilometres, Reusser, Vollering and 2024 Tour winner Niewiadoma-Phinney managed to distance the rest of the field.
Niewiadoma-Phinney launched the sprint around 300 metres from the finish. Vollering initially stayed behind Reusser before accelerating at the right moment and coming past shortly before the line. It was her first stage victory of this year’s race and the fourth Tour stage win of her career. Reusser collected a total of twelve bonus seconds during the stage, but Vollering earned two more.
Vollering subsequently made it clear that she expects a fierce battle for yellow. She said Reusser would be difficult to beat and would give everything in pursuit of her first overall Tour victory. The pair know each other extremely well: they rode together for SD Worx-Protime until the end of 2024. At the 2023 Tour, Reusser helped Vollering secure the overall title before winning the final individual time trial herself. They are now direct rivals.
Reusser Rides into Yellow in the Time Trial
Reusser laid the foundations for her lead with a strong performance in the 21-kilometre individual time trial from Gevrey-Chambertin to Dijon. The reigning world time trial champion won in 27 minutes and 30 seconds, finishing 18 seconds ahead of Vollering. That result moved her into the yellow jersey with an initial advantage of 14 seconds.
For the 34-year-old Swiss rider, this is the first Tour de France Femmes she has specifically targeted for the general classification. In previous years, she often worked in support of other riders, while at Movistar she is now competing for overall victory herself. She had already demonstrated her form at the Tour de Suisse, which she won for the third time in 2026.
Niedermaier Moves into the White Jersey
Stage five was also a successful one from a German perspective. Antonia Niedermaier was part of a 19-rider breakaway that at one point opened a lead of almost two minutes. The 23-year-old therefore briefly became the virtual leader of the general classification.
After the group was caught, Niedermaier finished sixth, 45 seconds behind Vollering, Reusser and Niewiadoma-Phinney. The rider from Rosenheim moved up to fourth overall and now trails Reusser by 2 minutes and 40 seconds. She also took over the white jersey as the best young rider. After finishing second at the Giro d’Italia Women, Niedermaier is confirming at the Tour that she is developing into one of the strongest stage-race riders in the peloton.
One More Difficult Day Before Mont Ventoux
Thursday’s sixth stage covers 153.4 kilometres from Montbrison to Tournon-sur-Rhône. The route includes around 2,600 metres of climbing and six categorised ascents. The longest is the Col de Lalouvesc, which is 8.6 kilometres long at an average gradient of five per cent. The final categorised climb comes just under 16 kilometres from the finish. There is also a bonus sprint 9.2 kilometres from the line, offering six, four and two seconds respectively.
The stage could suit a breakaway group. Given Reusser’s narrow advantage over Vollering, however, Movistar will need to control the race carefully. Vollering could take the yellow jersey with a successful attack or through the available time bonuses.
The decisive battle is expected on Friday. The 146.8-kilometre seventh stage will finish on Mont Ventoux for the first time in the history of the Tour de France Femmes. The final climb is 15.7 kilometres long at an average gradient of 8.8 per cent. The climb will show whether Reusser can defend her lead in the high mountains or whether Vollering can take another step towards her second Tour victory.
