{"id":725946,"date":"2026-08-03T12:11:14","date_gmt":"2026-08-03T12:11:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/725946\/"},"modified":"2026-08-03T12:11:14","modified_gmt":"2026-08-03T12:11:14","slug":"tour-de-france-femmes-stage-3-live-attacks-expected-on-the-hilly-roads-into-france","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/725946\/","title":{"rendered":"Tour de France Femmes stage 3 LIVE: Attacks expected on the hilly roads into France"},"content":{"rendered":"

2026-08-03T12:09:21.160Z<\/p>\n

The Col de la Faucille will start after the village of Gex and climb over the Jura mountains that naturally divide France and Switzerland.<\/p>\n

The climb includes several switchbacks as it climbs to 1323m.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

The pace is steady on the lower slopes but some riders are already suffering at the back and are being dropped.<\/p>\n

2026-08-03T12:03:37.847Z<\/p>\n

The Col de la Faucille climb is 11.4km long at an average gradient of 6.3%.<\/p>\n

It will surely make for a huge selection when the attacks begin.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

The question is what happens afterwards. If Wiebes feels good and is not too far behind at the summit, then perhaps SD Worx will ride for her and a sprint finish.<\/p>\n

If we see Lotte Kopecky in the attacks and if the GC riders also race hard on the climb, then all of the sprinters may never see the front of the race again.<\/p>\n

That is why today’s stage is another fascinating day of racing.<\/p>\n

2026-08-03T11:58:44.985Z<\/p>\n

The peloton is all together on the easier roads to the foot of the climb. We expect things to explode when the gradient kicks-in.<\/p>\n

Victorie Guilman crashed but the Cofidis rider quickly gets back on her bike.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

2026-08-03T11:52:02.225Z
\nOFFICIAL START<\/p>\n

They’re off!<\/p>\n

The race director has waved the flag and so the stage is officially underway.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

There are 139 riders in the race and they face 156.5km of racing.<\/p>\n

2026-08-03T11:50:10.666Z<\/p>\n

Lukas Kn\u00f6fler and Matilda Price worked on this explainer why Paula Blasi is leading the best young rider competition despite being over 23.<\/p>\n

It’s all down to ASO’s decision to widen the competition to older riders this year.<\/p>\n

Why is Paula Blasi in white? – Tour de France Femmes quietly changes under-23 jersey to under-24<\/a><\/p>\n

\n

\"GENEVA,\n<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Getty Images)
\n<\/p>\n

2026-08-03T11:45:40.347Z<\/p>\n

Dani Ostanek and Matilda Price are on the ground at the Tour for Cyclingnews, producing news, interviews and analysis.<\/p>\n

Dani spoke to Lorena Wiebes team to write this revealing profile.<\/p>\n

‘Quite shy’ and ‘an absolute killer’ \u2013 The two sides of Tour de France Femmes sprint dominator Lorena Wiebes <\/a><\/p>\n

\n

\"GENEVA,\n<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Getty Images)
\n<\/p>\n

2026-08-03T11:41:51.343Z<\/p>\n

This is the view from the race director’s car.<\/p>\n

\ud83d\udd1b\ud83c\udde8\ud83c\udded \u27a1\ufe0f \ud83c\uddeb\ud83c\uddf7\ud83d\udd1c#TDFF2026 #WatchTheFemmes pic.twitter.com\/dipdcjRuunAugust 3, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

2026-08-03T11:38:44.301Z<\/p>\n

After 5km the stage leaves Switzerland and crosses into France.<\/p>\n

The Tour has enjoyed a great Grand Depart in the last few years and it should be a similar success in 2027, when the Femmes starts in Britain.<\/p>\n

\ud83c\udde8\ud83c\udded Thank you Switzerland, for an unforgettable Grand D\u00e9part. Two unforgettable days, and now it’s time for France !Merci \u00e0 nos amis suisses pour ce magnifique Grand D\u00e9part. La France attend d\u00e9sormais le peloton ! \ud83c\uddeb\ud83c\uddf7#TDFF2026 #WatchTheFemmes pic.twitter.com\/ncaqtiPETVAugust 3, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

2026-08-03T11:29:19.745Z<\/p>\n

This was the selfie vibe at the start.<\/p>\n

\ud83e\udd33 A quick selfie… and off we go!\u2070Un petit selfie et on est parties ! \ud83d\udeb4\u200d\u2640\ufe0f#TDFF2026 #WatchTheFemmes pic.twitter.com\/o9740T8wgWAugust 3, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

2026-08-03T11:27:57.515Z
\nSTAGE START<\/p>\n

The riders rolled out from the Plaine de Plainpalais in central Geneva and are now have a 10.2-kilometre neutralized sector before the official start of the race.<\/p>\n

2026-08-03T11:25:14.617Z<\/p>\n

3-2-1 C’est Parti!<\/p>\n

The speaker shouts our his usual phrase and the riders roll out of Geneva.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

2026-08-03T11:23:25.417Z<\/p>\n

We can see the riders line-up at the start for the roll out, with the jersey leaders on the front of the grid.<\/p>\n

The tension is rising as the minutes countdown. Some teams warmed-up on the rollers before the start and so we’re expecting an explosive start to the racing when the flag drops.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

With the climb coming soon, even positoning behind the race directors car for the long neutralised sector will be important.<\/p>\n

2026-08-03T11:17:14.213Z<\/p>\n

La star du jour!<\/p>\n

\ud83e\udd70 Everyone wants a moment with Lorena Wiebes.La star du jour, c’est Lorena ! \ud83d\udc9b#TDFF2026 #WatchTheFemmes pic.twitter.com\/Dr9CXSujndAugust 3, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

2026-08-03T11:15:42.799Z<\/p>\n

Lorena Wiebes spoke briefly at the sign-on.<\/p>\n

“I enjoyed yesterday. The team did a really strong effort so I could sprint. Hopefully I can enjoy today.”
\n“There will be a long climb in the begining, so we will suffer a lot today.”\n<\/p>\n

2026-08-03T11:13:54.820Z<\/p>\n

We’re 15 minutes from the roll out in Geneva and so it is time for race leader Lorena Wiebes to sign-on with her SD Worx teammates.<\/p>\n

\n

\"GENEVA,\n<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/p>\n

2026-08-03T11:08:58.150Z<\/p>\n

Listen to the cheers for Pauline Ferrand-Pr\u00e9vot.<\/p>\n

\ud83d\udc9b Pauline Ferrand-Pr\u00e9vot received a fantastic welcome in Geneva!Super accueil du public de Gen\u00e8ve pour Pauline Ferrand-Pr\u00e9vot ! \ud83d\ude4c#TDFF2026 #WatchTheFemmes pic.twitter.com\/xBXFlNroccAugust 3, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

2026-08-03T11:08:05.930Z<\/p>\n

The French Ma Petite Entreprise team is next on stage, with Oc\u00e9ane Mah\u00e9 wearing the polka-dot jersey.<\/p>\n

The small team have enjoyed a superb start to the Tour but Oc\u00e9ane Mah\u00e9 faces a battle to join the break today if she is to defend her jersey. Yesterday she struggled after her stage 1 attack but seems happy to be riding into France today.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

The stage includes 4 categorised climbs, with the first one, the Col de la Faucille, a category 1 and so awarding a lot of points.<\/p>\n

That is just one reason why we expect many attacks on the Col de la Faucille.<\/p>\n

2026-08-03T11:03:06.075Z<\/p>\n

To look back on stage 2, check out our full stage report and see our photographs and full reports.<\/p>\n

Tour de France Femmes: Lorena Wiebes powers to stage 2 sprint victory as late-race soloist Riejanne Markus is caught close to the line<\/a><\/p>\n

\n

\"GENEVA,\n<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Getty Images)
\n<\/p>\n

2026-08-03T11:00:51.059Z<\/p>\n

UAE Team L’IMAD sign-on with Paula Blasi in the best young rider’s white jersey.<\/p>\n

On stage 2 Blasi was asked to work on the flat, sparking more questions about her role and future in the team.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

2026-08-03T10:58:51.988Z<\/p>\n

The riders will leave Geneva in 30 minutes, with the official stage start given after 10.2km, outside the city centre.<\/p>\n

The peloton will heading north from Geneva and cross into France after 5km, the road rising from the start even before the Col de la Faucille (11.4km at 6.3%) officially starts.<\/p>\n

The first cat. 1 climb of the 2026 Tour de France Femmes<\/a> should cause splits in the peloton and may see a break of strong climbers get away.<\/p>\n

\n

\"Stage\n<\/p>\n

(Image credit: \u00a9GEOATLAS)
\n<\/p>\n

2026-08-03T10:53:15.695Z<\/p>\n

Visma-Lease a Bike were given a huge cheer on the podium at the start. Today we could see Marianne Vos go on the attack, while GC leader Pauline Ferrand-Pr\u00e9vot stays in the peloton before Tuesday’s 21km key time trial.<\/p>\n

2026-08-03T10:50:13.195Z<\/p>\n

At the start in Geneva, it’s time to pin-on the numbers, sign-on and prepare for another day in the saddle.<\/p>\n

\ud83c\udfbd Time to put on the race numbers.\u2070C’est l’heure de mettre les dossards. Avec application. \ud83d\ude09#TDFF2026 #WatchTheFemmes pic.twitter.com\/hZR29hjMYwAugust 3, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

2026-08-03T10:45:21.709Z<\/p>\n

Get up to speed on what to expect today, via our detailed stage preview. Lorena Wiebes starts the stage in the leader’s yellow jersey but can she keep it?<\/p>\n

Tour de France Femmes 2026 stage 3 preview \u2013 The race heads into the hills of France and could see a breakaway succeed<\/a><\/p>\n

\n

\"LAUSANNE,\n<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Getty Images)
\n<\/p>\n

2026-08-03T10:42:21.837Z<\/p>\n

Today’s stage sees the Tour leave Switzerland and enter into France, via a hilly 156.5km stage from Geneva to Pologny.<\/p>\n

It should be another great day of racing. and we will again have all the coverage with detailed updates.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

2026-08-03T10:40:34.493Z<\/p>\n

Hello and welcome to the Cyclingnews live coverage of stage 3 of the Tour de France Femmes.<\/p>\n