For Sarah Van Dam, the 2025 Tour de France Femmes was a baptism by feu.<\/p>\n
\u201cHonestly, just wow\u2014that was hard,\u201d she admits. The Victoria native, in her TdFF, came off the Giro just 12 days earlier, making this back-to-back challenge even tougher. \u201cI didn\u2019t feel quite at my best across the nine days, which was tough mentally and physically. I survived, but didn\u2019t necessarily thrive.\u201d<\/p>\n
Still, she found the race unforgettable. \u201cThe crowds were absolutely incredible. The energy, the support\u2014it was like nothing I\u2019ve ever experienced before.\u201d<\/p>\n
Opportunities for sprinters were scarce, but Van Dam made the most of what she got. During Stage 4, after a rough start, she found her rhythm and navigated a tricky final stretch, finishing 10th. \u201cThere was a short climb with about three km to go. Followed by a long drag up to the line. I got a bit boxed in and had to ease up for a moment, but I managed to find a way out and sprint into 10th. It felt like there was potential for more, but I\u2019m happy to have been in the mix.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Tour was officially her longest stage race yet\u2014surpassing even the Giro\u2014and the Queen stage left a lasting impression. Stage 8 began with the 13.2 km-Col de Plainpalais and culminated in the punishing 18.6 km-climb of the Col de la Madeleine.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe start of Stage 8 really stands out. The pace was hard, and in the back of your mind you knew the Madeleine was still to come,\u201d Van Dam recalls. Yet even amid the pain, the atmosphere lifted her spirits. \u201cStrangely, my favourite moment was also on Stage 8. The number of people lining the road, cheering\u2014it gave me goosebumps. That day is something I\u2019ll never forget.\u201d<\/p>\n