Marlen Reusser, the world time-trial champion, won the Tour de France Femmes stage 4 time trial and snatched the yellow jersey in Dijon. The 34-year-old Swiss rider delivered a commanding performance, beating pre-race favorite Demi Vollering by 14 seconds and extending her lead over defending champion Pauline Ferrand-Prévot to 2 minutes 13 seconds. Reusser's victory marks her third career Tour stage win and sets up a thrilling battle as the race heads into the mountains.
Reusser's Dominant Time Trial Performance
Reusser, a specialist against the clock, executed what she called "Project Dijon" with precision. She powered through the 22.5km course from Gevrey-Chambertin to Dijon, posting the fastest time and overturning the general classification. Her aggressive pacing and aerodynamic position left rivals struggling to match her speed.
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"This was the idea that we had for a long time," Reusser said. "I saw the Tour as my goal for the year. I really targeted it. We would have a TT on the fourth day, so it was our Project Dijon." Her victory also highlighted her season-long form, which includes winning the Tour of Switzerland earlier this year.
Vollering and Niewiadoma-Phinney Stay in Contention
Demi Vollering, the 2023 champion, finished second in the stage, limiting her losses to just 14 seconds. Vollering admitted she expected to lose time but was pleased with her ride: "I knew I'd lose time to Marlen, but I'm happy because I knew it was really one for the specialists. Keeping the gap so close makes me very happy." Kasia Niewiadoma-Phinney, the 2024 winner, sits third overall, 1 minute 9 seconds behind Reusser.
Meanwhile, Ferrand-Prévot's performance was labeled "catastrophic" by French media. She struggled on the climbs and lost over two minutes, dropping to 14th overall. The defending champion looked anxious before the start, clutching an ice cube and closing her eyes. After the stage, she said, "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."
General Classification After Stage 4
| Rider | Time Gap | Stage Result |
|---|---|---|
| Marlen Reusser (SUI) | Leader | 1st |
| Demi Vollering (NED) | +0:14 | 2nd |
| Kasia Niewiadoma-Phinney (POL) | +1:09 | 3rd |
| Pauline Ferrand-Prévot (FRA) | +2:13 | 14th |
Key Takeaways from Stage 4
- Reusser takes yellow jersey with a dominant time trial win.
- Vollering limits losses and remains a serious contender.
- Ferrand-Prévot's title defense falters, now 2:13 behind.
- Niewiadoma-Phinney stays within striking distance.
- Next stages feature hilly terrain that could shake up the GC.
What's Next for the Tour de France Femmes?
The peloton now heads into a series of stages that include challenging climbs, which could favor climbers like Ferrand-Prévot and Vollering. Reusser will need to defend her lead, but her time trial strength gives her a buffer. The race is far from over, and fans can expect aggressive attacks in the coming days.
FAQ
Who won the Tour de France Femmes stage 4 time trial?
Marlen Reusser of Switzerland won the stage 4 individual time trial in Dijon, taking the yellow jersey in the process.
How much time did Reusser gain on Vollering?
Reusser gained 14 seconds on Demi Vollering, who finished second in the stage, moving into the overall lead.
What happened to Pauline Ferrand-Prévot in the time trial?
Pauline Ferrand-Prévot struggled on the climbs and lost 2 minutes 13 seconds to Reusser, dropping to 14th overall and jeopardizing her title defense.
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