Tour de France Femmes: Reusser Wins Time Trial, Takes Yellow 2026

The Tour de France Femmes witnessed a stunning display of power as Marlen Reusser won the stage four time trial and snatched the yellow jersey. The world time-trial champion dominated the race against the clock, securing a commanding lead that reshapes the general classification. Cycling fans are now eager to see if she can hold onto the lead in the grueling mountain stages ahead.

Reusser's Masterclass in the Dijon Time Trial

Marlen Reusser, the 34-year-old Swiss rider, delivered a flawless performance on the 22.5km course from Gevrey-Chambertin to Dijon. Her third career Tour stage win was built on consistent power output and aerodynamic precision, leaving her rivals struggling to match her pace. Reusser's victory was not just a stage win but a strategic triumph, as she had targeted this time trial as a key moment in her season.

“It was our Project Dijon,” Reusser said after donning the yellow jersey. “This was the idea that we had for a long time and I saw the Tour as my goal for the year. I really targeted it. I am here as a leader, and I knew the Tour was going to start in Switzerland, on Swiss national day, and we would have a TT on the fourth day.”

How the General Classification Shifted

The time trial created significant time gaps among the top contenders. Reusser now leads the pre-race favourite Demi Vollering by 14 seconds, while 2024 Tour winner Kasia Niewiadoma-Phinney sits 1 minute 9 seconds back. However, the biggest shock was defending champion Pauline Ferrand-Prévot, who lost over two minutes and dropped to 14th overall.

Ferrand-Prévot's Catastrophic Day

Pauline Ferrand-Prévot's performance was labelled catastrophic by French media, as she lacked power and seemed to struggle from the start. The defending champion had looked nervous before the stage, clutching an ice cube and closing her eyes in concentration. After the stage, she admitted, “There’s nothing I can do. I pushed as hard as I could. It was a lot of stress. I’m glad this day is over.”

Her 2-minute 13-second deficit means she faces an uphill battle to defend her title, especially with mountain stages looming. The French rider will need a dramatic recovery to re-enter contention, but the time gaps may prove insurmountable against a rider of Reusser's caliber.

What's Next for the Peloton

With the time trial behind them, the Tour de France Femmes now enters a series of challenging stages. The peloton will face rolling terrain and then the high mountains, where climbing specialists like Vollering and Niewiadoma-Phinney will look to attack. Reusser must defend her lead, but her time-trialing strength gives her a buffer that could prove decisive.

Key Takeaways from Stage 4

• Marlen Reusser takes yellow jersey with a dominant time trial victory.
• Demi Vollering limits losses to just 14 seconds, keeping her in contention.
• Pauline Ferrand-Prévot loses over two minutes, jeopardizing her title defense.
• The upcoming mountain stages will be crucial in determining the final winner.

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