The Tour de France Femmes witnessed a stunning display of power as Marlen Reusser, the reigning world time trial champion, aced the individual time trial to win stage four and seize the yellow jersey. With a commanding performance on the 21km course from Gevrey-Chambertin to Dijon, the Swiss rider clocked 27 minutes and 30 seconds, overturning the general classification and setting the stage for an intense battle ahead.
Reusser's Dominant Time Trial Victory
Marlen Reusser's victory was no fluke; she rode with precision and power, finishing 14 seconds ahead of former champion Demi Vollering in the overall standings. The Movistar rider's effort was a testament to her meticulous preparation and focus on this race as her primary goal of the season. "I'm super, super happy. This was kind of the idea that we had since a long time," Reusser said after the stage.
Reusser's performance was particularly impressive given the technical nature of the course, which required both speed and bike-handling skills. She navigated the corners and rolling terrain with confidence, gaining time on her rivals at every checkpoint. Her victory not only earned her the stage win but also the coveted yellow jersey, a dream come true for the Swiss rider.
GC Shake-Up: Vollering and Niewiadoma React
The time trial caused significant shifts in the general classification. Demi Vollering, who started the day as a favorite, finished second on the stage and now trails Reusser by just 14 seconds. The Dutch rider, who won the Tour de France Femmes in 2023, remains a strong contender for the overall title, and the small time gap promises an exciting battle in the coming stages.
Kasia Niewiadoma, the 2024 winner, also delivered a fine time trial, finishing sixth on the stage and moving up to sixth overall. "I haven't seen the results yet. I felt that I found my flow. I definitely spent a huge amount of time working on my skills," she said. Her performance shows that she is finding form at the right time, and she cannot be counted out for the overall victory.

Stage 4 Results and GC Standings
Here are the top 10 finishers from the stage 4 time trial and the updated general classification:
| Stage 4 Results | Time | GC Standings | Time Gap |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Marlen Reusser (Movistar) | 27:30 | 1. Marlen Reusser | 11:47:36 |
| 2. Demi Vollering (FDJ United-Suez) | +0:14 | 2. Demi Vollering | +0:14 |
| 3. Cedrine Kerbaol (FEF Education-Oatly) | +0:34 | 3. Cedrine Kerbaol | +0:54 |
| 4. Zoe Bäckstedt (Canyon-Sram) | +0:37 | 4. Sigrid Haugset (NUno-X Mobility) | +0:56 |
| 5. Mischa Bredewold (SD Worx-Protime) | +0:45 | 5. Elisa Longo Borghini (UAE Team L'Imad) | +1:03 |
Sigrid Haugset, who started the day in yellow, lost over three minutes and dropped to fourth overall. The Norwegian rider struggled on the technical course, and her time loss confirms Reusser's dominance. The GC now sees Reusser leading with a 14-second advantage over Vollering, setting up a thrilling showdown in the mountain stages to come.

Key Takeaways from Stage 4
- Reusser's strategy paid off: She targeted the Tour de France Femmes as her main goal and executed a perfect time trial.
- Vollering remains a threat: Only 14 seconds behind, she is well-positioned to attack in the mountains.
- Niewiadoma's form is rising: She is gaining confidence and could be a dark horse for the overall win.
- Time gaps are tight: The top five are within a minute, promising an unpredictable race.
What's Next for the Tour de France Femmes?
The race now heads into the hilly and mountainous terrain, where climbers will have their chance to shine. Reusser, known for her time trialing and one-day race skills, will face a tough test against pure climbers like Vollering and Niewiadoma. The upcoming stages will likely see attacks and counter-attacks as teams jockey for position.
For Reusser, the yellow jersey comes with a target on her back, but she has proven she can handle pressure. "We always said it's our project, Dijon," she said, referring to the stage finish. Her team, Movistar, will look to defend the lead, but they will need to be vigilant against the powerful FDJ United-Suez and SD Worx-Protime squads.

FAQ
Who won the Tour de France Femmes stage 4 time trial?
Marlen Reusser of Movistar won the stage 4 individual time trial, covering the 21km course in 27 minutes and 30 seconds.
Who is the current yellow jersey holder after stage 4?
Marlen Reusser took the yellow jersey from Sigrid Haugset after her stage win, leading the general classification by 14 seconds over Demi Vollering.

What is the time gap between Reusser and Vollering in the GC?
Reusser leads Vollering by 14 seconds in the general classification after stage 4, making the race highly competitive.
As the Tour de France Femmes continues, fans can expect more drama and excitement. The time trial has reshaped the race, and the upcoming stages will determine whether Reusser can hold onto yellow or if a new champion will emerge. Stay tuned for more updates and analysis.

Best Products We’ve Tested and Rated

Our testing team has hands-on reviews of camping mattresses expert, camping chairs like la z boy bag, simond mt500 budget camping mattress, camping mattresses, and simond mt500 budget camping mattress festivals. Every option below was compared across price, build quality, and real-world performance, with honest pros and cons. We update these guides regularly as new models arrive, so the recommendations stay current.
Our testing team has hands-on reviews of camping mattresses sleeping mats, eye masks sleep heatwave, alvantor pop up screen tent bug shelter camping, family days out adventures touch magic, and walking sandals women comfy summer styles. Every option below was compared across price, build quality, and real-world performance, with honest pros and cons. We update these guides regularly as new models arrive, so the recommendations stay current.