Squiban Wins Historic Back-to-back Stages

1 month ago

Alex Brotherton

BBC Sport journalist

Maeva Squiban produced different stunning capacity to make Tour de Femmes history pinch back-to-back shape wins arsenic Kim le Court retained nan yellowish jersey.

A time aft becoming only nan second French rider to triumph a stage, 23-year-old Squiban powered distant from nan chasing group pinch astir 20km remaining arsenic she approached nan acme of nan Col du Granier.

She crossed nan statement 51 seconds clear of compatriot Cedrine Kerbaol, becoming nan first French rider to triumph 2 stages connected nan tour.

"It's incredible. This greeting I said I will onslaught kilometre zero, successful nan opening it didn't activity but yet I did it. It's an astonishing day," said UAE Team, ADQ rider Squiban.

Le Court, who became nan first African rider to triumph a shape successful nan Tour connected Wednesday, caught up to nan chasing group connected nan last descent into Chambery to decorativeness sixth and clasp nan yellowish jersey.

"I wasn't emotion truthful bully since nan commencement of nan stage, nan past fewer days I've been going done immoderate stuff," said nan 29-year-old from Mauritius.

"On nan past climb it was difficult, my assemblage conscionable unopen off. Then I had to do nan champion downhill of my life."

France's Pauline Ferrand-Prevot remains 2nd successful nan wide classification, pinch defending champion Katarzyna Niewiadoma-Phinney 3rd and 2023 victor Demi Vollering conscionable behind.

The apical 5 successful nan wide classification are separated by 35 seconds pinch 2 stages remaining.

On Saturday nan riders will tackle a 111.9km mountainous shape betwixt Chambery and Saint Francois Longchamp-Col de la Madeleine.