Justine Ghekiere emerged victorious in the seventh stage of the women’s Tour de France held in the French Alps, marking the first mountain challenge in the prestigious race. Covering a distance of 166 kilometers (103 miles), this stage proved to be the longest of the tour, providing a platform for the Belgian cyclist to showcase her exceptional climbing abilities and make a decisive move during the final ascent to Le Grand-Bornand.
Sporting the red polka dot jersey, Ghekiere launched a potent attack on the demanding slopes of the Col de Saint-Jean-de-Sixt, creating a significant gap between her and competitors like Marianne Vos, as she triumphantly crossed the finish line unaccompanied.
Expressing her emotions after securing her first victory in a Tour de France stage, Ghekiere remarked, “I really have no words. I think I’m dreaming. I really want to thank my team who did an incredible job assisting me today.”
Despite encountering challenges during the mountainous stage, Kasia Niewiadoma, who had claimed the yellow jersey following Demi Vollering’s earlier misfortune, managed to retain her lead after finishing fourth. She currently maintains a 27-second advantage over Puck Pieterse as the riders prepare for the concluding stage in Alpe d’Huez set for Sunday.
Vollering, who could not match Ghekiere’s pace in the final climb, secured the third spot in the stage and remains 1:15 behind Niewiadoma in the overall standings of the tour.