The Tour de France Femmes stage 4 time trial saw Marlen Reusser storm to victory, seizing the yellow jersey from Sigrid Haugset. Reusser's dominant ride over the 21km course from Gevrey-Chambertin to Dijon set a new benchmark, showcasing her exceptional time trialing skills.
Reusser's Masterclass in Dijon
Marlen Reusser, the reigning world time trial champion, delivered a flawless performance, finishing in 27 minutes and 30 seconds. Her powerful pacing and aerodynamic position proved unbeatable, giving her a 14-second lead over former champion Demi Vollering in the general classification. This victory marks a career milestone for the Swiss rider, who had targeted the Tour de France Femmes as her primary goal this season.
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How the Stage Unfolded
The individual time trial was a test of pure strength and technique. Reusser started strong and maintained her speed, while other contenders like Kasia Niewiadoma, the 2024 winner, also impressed. Niewiadoma, who has been working extensively on her time trial skills, finished sixth overall, minimizing her losses as planned. Meanwhile, the previous yellow jersey holder, Sigrid Haugset, struggled, losing over three minutes and conceding the lead.
General Classification After Stage 4
Reusser now leads the overall standings, with Vollering and Cedrine Kerbaol rounding out the top three. The race for the podium is tight, with several riders within striking distance. Here's the full top 10 after the stage:
| Position | Rider (Team) | Time Gap |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Marlen Reusser (Movistar) | 11:47:36 |
| 2 | Demi Vollering (FDJ United-Suez) | +14'' |
| 3 | Cedrine Kerbaol (FEF Education-Oatly) | +54'' |
| 4 | Sigrid Haugset (NUno-X Mobility) | +56'' |
| 5 | Elisa Longo Borghini (UAE Team L'Imad) | +1'03'' |
| 6 | Katarzyna Niewiadoma-Phinney (Canyon-SRAM) | +1'09'' |
| 7 | Paula Blasi Cairol (UAE Team L'Imad) | +1'12'' |
| 8 | Anna van der Breggen (SD Worx-Protime) | +1'17'' |
| 9 | Antonia Niedermaier (Canyon-SRAM) | +1'43'' |
| 10 | Femke de Vries (Visma-Lease a Bike) | +1'47'' |
Key Takeaways from Stage 4
- Reusser's time trial dominance puts her in prime position for the overall title.
- Vollering remains a serious threat, just 14 seconds behind.
- Niewiadoma's improved time trialing shows her determination to defend her title.
- Haugset's loss of yellow jersey highlights the unpredictable nature of the race.
What's Next for the Tour de France Femmes?
The race continues with challenging stages ahead, including mountain stages that could shake up the standings. Reusser will need to defend her lead against strong climbers like Vollering and Longo Borghini. The next few days will be crucial in determining the final winner.

Reusser's Emotional Victory
In her post-race interview, Reusser expressed her joy: "I'm super, super happy. This was kind of the idea that we had since a long time. It's the first Tour of France that I really saw as my goal of the year that I really targeted." Her team's strategic planning paid off perfectly, with Dijon as the chosen battleground.