Niamh Fisher-Black Adjusts Expectations for Tour de France Femmes

Niamh Fisher-Black, a rider from New Zealand, reflected on her previous performance at the Tour de France Femmes, where she finished fifth overall, and expressed hopes for a similar achievement this year. She stated she needed to modify her expectations due to the course layout of the 2026 edition, which might not favor her strengths in the general classification. Fisher-Black acknowledged that the inclusion of a time trial could be a significant obstacle for her ambitions, given her reputation as a lightweight climber, having previously excelled in similar terrains in major races like the Giro d'Italia Women and Vuelta Femenina.

In an interview with Cyclingnews, Fisher-Black indicated that her approach this year would be somewhat different due to the race's parcours. "I think I go into this race with maybe slightly different goals from previous stage races," she noted. With Mont Ventoux as a highlight and many challenging stages ahead, she highlighted the importance of focusing not solely on general classification but also seeking stage wins with her team, Lidl-Trek.

"It’s mainly just the time trial. It’s not a strength of mine and I know that," Fisher-Black admitted when discussing specific challenges. She recognized that the outcome of the race wouldn’t solely hinge on the time trial day but rather on performances in the final days of competition. Despite not viewing herself as a time trial specialist, she maintained a sense of optimism about the race, noting that it is open, and much could happen.

Fisher-Black pointed out that even with a less-than-ideal course, her potential remains evident, mentioning her fifth-place finish in the Giro d'Italia Women despite facing challenges. "In the end, it finished nicely, but it was honestly not my best week on the bike," she remarked, indicating a commitment to improving for the upcoming races. The Lidl-Trek team is approaching this year’s Tour with a focus on stage hunting rather than solely aiming for general classification, featuring competitors like Lucinda Brand and Elisa Balsamo, alongside emerging GC talent Isabella Holmgren.

"A stage win still evades us as a team and also myself, so for sure that's a big goal," Fisher-Black concluded, emphasizing her desire to secure a victory in a stage rather than finishing merely within the top 10 for overall standings.