Dramatic Breakaway Triumph: Emma Norsgaard Secures Stage 6 Victory in Tour de France Femme

The 122.5-kilometer stage from Albi to Blagnac was anticipated to be a day for the sprinters, but the Tour de France Femme proved once again that drama is always on the horizon. The race faced unexpected twists and turns, with the UCI jury ejecting SD Worx directeur sportif Danny Stam from the race due to dangerous driving and “inappropriate comments.”

The controversy overshadowed the early attacks, with April Tacey (Lifeplus Wahoo) and Rachel Neylan (Cofidis) attempting to create a gap. However, the peloton, led by teams eyeing the sprint finish, kept a tight leash on the escapees.

Agnieszka Skalniak-Sójka (Canyon-SRAM) and Sandra Alonso (Ceratizit-WNT) formed the next breakaway ahead of the category 4 Côte de la Cadène. Emma Norsgaard (Movistar) worked her way across to the duo, and the trio built a lead as Lidl-Trek led the peloton, keeping them at a two-minute gap.

On the challenging Côte du Clos Pourtié, FDJ-SUEZ and Lidl-Trek launched an attack that reduced the leaders’ advantage. However, the peloton hesitated, not wanting to make the catch too soon.

As the race progressed, there were unfortunate crashes, including Yara Kastelijn (Fenix-Deceuninck) and Julie Van De Velde. Meanwhile, the chasers finally bridged the gap to the breakaway, and the stage became a race between the three leaders and the chasing peloton.

With a favorable advantage, Norsgaard, Skalniak-Sójka, and Alonso believed they had a chance to contest the stage victory. They crossed the intermediate sprint with hope, with Alonso taking the sprint points and Kopecky securing fourth.

However, the peloton closed in on the trio, and in a tense finish, Norsgaard launched a decisive surge with only 4 kilometers remaining. Holding on to her lead, Norsgaard kept the chasing peloton at bay, claiming an emotional stage victory.

The victory was a remarkable achievement for Norsgaard, who had faced setbacks due to injuries earlier in the year. Her determination and courage shone through, making it her first WorldTour win and the biggest result of her career.

In the general classification, the leading riders behind race leader Lotte Kopecky faced turmoil as a crash in the final kilometer affected their times. The top five contenders, including Ashleigh Moolman-Pasio (AG Insurance-Soudal-Quickstep), Elisa Longo Borghini (Lidl-Trek), Kasia Niewiadoma (Canyon-SRAM), and Yara Kastelijn, were caught out in the crash. After a jury review, they were given the same time as the maillot jaune group, but the incident added drama to the race.

Kopecky extended her lead in the green jersey competition, and Cedrine Kerbaol (Ceratizit-WNT) retained the white jersey as the best young rider. The Tour de France Femme continued to deliver suspense and excitement, leaving fans eagerly anticipating the upcoming stages.

As the race heads to the Col du Tourmalet, the cyclists are prepared for even more challenges and surprises. The Tour de France Femme proves to be a riveting and unpredictable spectacle, showcasing the incredible talent and tenacity of the riders as they battle for victory.