Wiebes Claims Thrilling Stage 4 Victory in Tour de France Femmes as Vos Defends Yellow Jersey
Dutch sprinter Lorena Wiebes secures her fifth career Tour de France Femmes stage win in a dramatic sprint finish, while Marianne Vos maintains the yellow jersey. Ireland's Lara Gillespie claims her first podium as the race enters crucial mountain stages.
Sprint Showdown in Poitiers
SD Worx-Protime's Lorena Wiebes reinforced her status as cycling's premier sprinter with a textbook victory on Stage 4 of the Tour de France Femmes, outdueling yellow jersey holder Marianne Vos (Visma-Lease a Bike) in a photo finish. The 24-year-old Dutch phenom now boasts five career stage wins at cycling's premier women's event.
Key Race Developments
- General Classification Shakeup: Wiebes climbs to 2nd overall (+12s) while Vos maintains race leadership
- Emerging Talent: UAE Team ADQ's Lara Gillespie (22) secured her first Grand Tour podium with tactical third-place finish
- Crash Aftermath: Defending champion Demi Vollering completed stage despite Monday's heavy crash, finishing 6th overall (+25s)
Stage 4 Technical Analysis
| Metric | Detail |
|---|---|
| Distance | 147.5km (Poitiers circuit) |
| Average Speed | 45.2 km/h |
| Elevation Gain | 1,230m |
| Winning Margin | 0.08 seconds |
Mountain Challenges Loom
With five stages remaining, riders face a critical transition:
- Stage 5: 165.8km hilly route to Guéret (1,850m elevation)
- Queen Stage: Saturday's brutal 157km mountain finish at Plateau de Beille
- Time Trial: Friday's 25km individual test in Albi
Expert Insight: "Wiebes' sprint dominance is unmatched, but the real GC battle begins tomorrow. Vos' experience vs Vollering's recovery will define this Tour" - Former World Champion Anna van der Breggen
Current Standings
| Position | Rider | Team | Time Gap |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Marianne Vos | Visma-Lease a Bike | - |
| 2 | Lorena Wiebes | SD Worx-Protime | +0:12 |
| 3 | Kim le Court | AG Insurance-Soudal | +0:12 |
| 4 | Demi Vollering | FDJ-Suez | +0:25 |
Next stage coverage begins Wednesday at 12:30 CEST on Eurosport/GCN
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08:00 International, Friendly International
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Canada
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08:00 Colombia, Primera B - Finalización, Round 14
08:00
Tigres
Sharjah SC
21:05 UAE, UAE Pro League, Round 6
21:05
Al Dhafra
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00:30 England, Premier League, Round 8
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Angers
01:00 France, Ligue 1, Round 8
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Monaco
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