Pauline Ferrand-Prévot is not finished; Marlen Reusser shines in yellow

During the fourth stage of the Tour de France Femmes, Pauline Ferrand-Prévot faced a significant setback. Early indications suggested trouble as she passed the first time check lagging behind not only the best time trial riders but also a number of her less experienced competitors. Her struggles in the time trial reflected a long-standing question about her strength in this discipline, which the evidence revealed was weaker than expected.

Ferrand-Prévot seemed to adopt a relatively upright position on her bike, likely a result of past injuries that made a more aerodynamic tuck uncomfortable. Additionally, her smaller stature and lack of time trial practice contributed to a disappointing performance. In contrast, Anna van der Breggen also experienced difficulties during the time trial and did not replicate the level of performance she demonstrated in previous competitions like the World Championships and Giro d'Italia.

Kasia Niewiadoma-Phinney emerged as a surprising contender during this stage. Despite pre-race speculation about her time trial skills, she exceeded expectations and managed to minimize her losses, establishing herself as a notable winner on the day. Overall, Ferrand-Prévot’s faltering performance was compounded by difficult conditions, leaving her outside the general classification discussions.

Moreover, riders such as Lieke Nooijen impressed observers with their performances, challenging for the top times despite not being in the GC battle. According to sources, Marlen Reusser, the reigning World Champion, dominated the time trial and solidified her place in the overall lead. Her exceptional performance confirmed her as a serious contender for the overall victory.

Reusser had stated prior to the race that she was often underrated as a general classification rider, a sentiment echoed by her immediate ascent to the lead. Many teams might underestimate her resilience in the mountains, but past performances have established her as a formidable climber capable of maintaining her lead. Movistar team’s support further bolstered her chances of success as the Tour progresses.