Le Court climbed back, linked with the breakaway, and won the sixth stage of the Tour Femmes 2026

Kim Le Court-Pienaar returned to victory at the Tour de France Femmes. The champion from Mauritius triumphed in Tournon-sur-Rhône after overcoming a mechanical issue, linking up with the leading group, and beating Cédrine Kerbaol and Puck Pieterse in the sprint. Behind, Marlen Reusser, Demi Vollering, and Katarzyna Niewiadoma-Phinney finished together, so the top three positions in the general classification remain unchanged before Mont Ventoux.

Kim Le Court wins stage 6 of the Tour de France Femmes after prevailing in a breakaway of favorites

The sixth stage, of 153.4 kilometers between Montbrison and Tournon-sur-Rhône, offered another day of wear with six categorized climbs and a total ascent of 2,600 meters. The race was decided in a very tactical finish, with numerous moves, a long chase, and a minimal gap to the main contenders' group.

Le Court overcomes a mechanical issue and returns to the fight

The initial breakaway was formed by Katrine Aalerud, Loes Adegeest, and Nikola Nosková. The trio opened a small gap but never became a real threat to the general classification.

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Puck Pieterse again took advantage of the climbs to score points and strengthen her lead in the mountain classification. The Dutch rider continued to score on the early climbs and was again the fastest at the Col de Lalouvesc and the Côte de Boucieu-le-Roi.

The race began to select itself at the Col de Lalouvesc, an 8.6-kilometer climb at 5%. EF Education-Oatly and Fenix-Premier Tech increased the pace, causing riders like Anna van der Breggen, Marianne Vos, and Lorena Wiebes to lose contact.

Kim Le Court suffered a mechanical issue on the approach to the climb and found herself nearly a minute behind the favorites' group. With the help of Justine Ghekiere and Lore De Schepper, she managed to reduce the gap and return just before the summit.

Longo Borghini and Kerbaol open the race on the descents

After the descent from the Col de Lalouvesc, Célia Gery took advantage of the technical roads to attack. A group of six riders formed behind her, including Elisa Longo Borghini, Cédrine Kerbaol, Puck Pieterse, Sarah Van Dam, and Liane Lippert.

Longo Borghini did a significant amount of the work, while some of her breakaway companions conserved energy as they had better-placed leaders in the chasing group. The Italian also increased the pace at the Côte de Boucieu-le-Roi, the last climb of the day.

Behind, Antonia Niedermaier worked for Katarzyna Niewiadoma-Phinney, although the gap remained around 30 seconds. Marlen Reusser controlled the moves of Demi Vollering and responded without issues when the Dutch rider tried to accelerate.

Riejanne Markus and Le Court took advantage of the watchfulness among the favorites to jump from the second group and catch up with the six leading riders. The champion from Mauritius thus completed her comeback and was back in a position to fight for the stage.

Le Court controls the attacks and wins the sprint

The leading group reached the final kilometers with a very small advantage. Le Court gained six seconds in the bonus sprint, while Longo Borghini took four, a result that allowed the Italian to move up to fourth place in the general classification.

The lack of understanding opened the door to several attacks. Le Court tried to break away solo, but Longo Borghini closed the gap. Markus then attacked under the last kilometer, although the Mauritian immediately responded and prevented the Dutch rider from gaining an advantage.

Pieterse was the first to launch the sprint. Le Court waited for her moment, came out of her wheel, and ended up winning ahead of Kerbaol and Pieterse herself. Sarah Van Dam finished fourth, and Célia Gery completed the top five positions.

¡FINAAAAAAL!

Con todos ustedes, Kim Le Court-Pienaar para ganar la etapa número 6 de @LeTourFemmes

Marlen Reusser sigue al mando de la general con 12" de ventaja con Demi Vollering#RTVETour6a https://t.co/12IrZmae2a pic.twitter.com/oWLJb0F1le

— Teledeporte (@teledeporte) August 6, 2026

Elisa Longo Borghini finished seventh, two seconds behind, while Markus lost five. The group with the main favorites arrived 28 seconds later, too late to contest the victory.

Top 10 of stage 6 of the Tour de France Femmes 2026

1. Kim Le Court-Pienaar (AG Insurance-Soudal Team) – 4:01:48
2. Cédrine Kerbaol (EF Education-Oatly) – +00
3. Puck Pieterse (Fenix-Premier Tech) – +00
4. Sarah Van Dam (Team Visma | Lease a Bike) – +00
5. Célia Gery (FDJ UNITED-SUEZ) – +00
6. Liane Lippert (Movistar Team) – +00
7. Elisa Longo Borghini (UAE Team L’IMAD) – a 2 s
8. Riejanne Markus (Lidl-Trek) – a 5 s
9. Dominika Wlodarczyk (UAE Team L’IMAD) – a 28 s
10. Noemi Rüegg (EF Education-Oatly) – a 28 s

Reusser retains the yellow before Mont Ventoux

Marlen Reusser continues at the top of the general classification with a 12-second lead over Demi Vollering. Katarzyna Niewiadoma-Phinney holds third place at 1:17.

The main news is the rise of Elisa Longo Borghini to fourth place. The Italian took advantage of the breakaway and bonuses to position herself 2:28 behind Reusser, ahead of Antonia Niedermaier and Dominika Wlodarczyk.

Le Court returns to the Top 10 thanks to her victory and appears ninth at 3:26, while Paula Blasi occupies the tenth position.

General classification after stage 6 Tour de France Femmes 2026

1. Marlen Reusser (Movistar Team) – 19:43:34
2. Demi Vollering (FDJ UNITED-SUEZ) – a 12 s
3. Katarzyna Niewiadoma-Phinney (CANYON//SRAM) – a 1:17
4. Elisa Longo Borghini (UAE Team L’IMAD) – a 2:28
5. Antonia Niedermaier (CANYON//SRAM) – a 2:40
6. Dominika Wlodarczyk (UAE Team L’IMAD) – a 2:54
7. Isabella Holmgren (Lidl-Trek) – a 3:05
8. Cédrine Kerbaol (EF Education-Oatly) – a 3:07
9. Kim Le Court-Pienaar (AG Insurance-Soudal Team) – a 3:26
10. Paula Blasi (UAE Team L’IMAD) – a 3:51

The race will reach its great mountain test this Friday. Mont Ventoux will decide whether Reusser can maintain the yellow against Vollering or if the Dutch climber can turn her attacks into a decisive gap.