Tour de France Femmes Stage 4: Reusser Wins Time Trial, Takes 2026

The Tour de France Femmes stage 4 time trial saw Marlen Reusser dominate, winning the 21km race against the clock and taking the yellow jersey. Reusser, reigning world time trial champion, finished in 27 minutes 30 seconds, beating former champion Demi Vollering by 14 seconds in the general classification. This victory marks a career milestone for the Swiss rider, who targeted this race as her primary goal of the season.

Reusser's Dominant Performance in Dijon

Riding for Movistar, Reusser showcased her exceptional time trialing skills on the flat, fast course from Gevrey-Chambertin to Dijon. Her power and aerodynamics were unmatched, as she surged past expectations to claim her first Tour de France stage win. "I'm super, super happy. This was kind of the idea that we had since a long time," Reusser said post-race. "It's the first Tour de France that I really saw as my goal of the year, and I am here as a leader."

The Swiss rider's victory was not just a stage win but a statement of intent. With the yellow jersey on her shoulders, she now leads the general classification, setting up an exciting battle for the remaining stages.

How the Time Trial Unfolded

The 21km individual time trial from Gevrey-Chambertin to Dijon was a test of pure speed and endurance. Early starters set fast times, but it was Reusser who laid down the benchmark. Her time of 27:30 proved unbeatable, as she edged out her rivals by significant margins. Demi Vollering, the 2023 champion, finished second on the stage, 14 seconds behind, while Cedrine Kerbaol took third, 54 seconds back.

Kasia Niewiadoma, the 2024 winner, rode a solid time trial, finishing sixth overall. "I haven't seen the results yet. I felt that I found my flow," she said. "I definitely spent a huge amount of time working on my skills because as everyone knew, I wasn't the best at it. But as you can see, if you believe in something and you put a good amount of work, anything is possible."

General Classification After Stage 4

Reusser's victory reshuffled the overall standings. Sigrid Haugset, who had worn the yellow jersey, lost over three minutes and dropped to fourth. The new top 10 is as follows:

Key Takeaways from Stage 4

• Reusser's breakthrough: The Swiss rider finally delivered on her potential, winning a Tour de France stage and taking the yellow jersey.
• Vollering's resilience: The Dutchwoman limited her losses and remains a strong contender for the overall title.
• Niewiadoma's improvement: The defending champion showed significant progress in time trialing, a discipline she previously struggled with.
• Haugset's fall: The Norwegian lost the yellow jersey but still sits fourth overall, within a minute of the lead.

What's Next for the Tour de France Femmes?

With the time trial behind them, the riders face the demanding mountain stages ahead. Reusser will need to defend her lead against climbing specialists like Vollering and Niewiadoma. The upcoming stages in the Vosges and Alps will test the riders' endurance and tactical acumen. Fans can expect fierce competition as the race heads toward its conclusion in the high mountains.

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