Maëva Squiban Claims Victory in 6th Stage of Tour de France Femmes
Maëva Squiban triumphs in the 6th stage of the Tour de France Femmes, marking a historic win for French cycling.
Key Points
- • Maëva Squiban won the 6th stage in a solo effort, finishing over a minute ahead of Juliette Labous.
- • Squiban is now the second French woman to win a stage since the race's revival in 2022.
- • Kim Le Court retains her yellow jersey after finishing third.
- • The next stages promise challenging climbs in the Alps.
On July 31, 2025, Maëva Squiban, a 23-year-old cyclist from Brest, achieved a stunning victory in the 6th stage of the Tour de France Femmes. The stage, spanning 124 kilometers from Clermont-Ferrand to Ambert, saw Squiban execute a remarkable solo effort, attacking during the climb of the Col du Chansert, which has an average gradient of 5.5%. She maintained a lead of over a minute to finish ahead of compatriot Juliette Labous, who secured second place, marking a notable 1-2 finish for French women in the race.
Squiban's dramatic victory is a significant achievement as she becomes the second French woman to win a stage in the event's history since its revival in 2022, following Cédrine Kerbaol's win last year. Overcoming a serious injury earlier in the year from a training accident, her win is a testament to her resilience and determination. After her victory, she expressed her emotional gratitude, stating, "What is happening to me is truly incredible in terms of emotion."
In the battle for the general classification, Kim Le Court, who finished third in the stage, retained the yellow jersey, gaining crucial bonus seconds which widened her lead over second-place Pauline Ferrand-Prévot to 26 seconds. Le Court's strategic third-place finish cements her as a strong contender, especially as the race moves into the challenging mountain stages ahead, notably with climbs such as the Col du Granier looming.
The dynamics of the race are heating up as competitors brace for more difficult climbs in the upcoming stages, and Le Court's lead appears to be under potential threat from not only Ferrand-Prévot but also the defending champion Katarzyna Niewiadoma, who is lying 30 seconds behind the leader. As the cyclists prepare for the demanding terrains of the Alps, the stage is set for an exciting continuation of this year’s Tour de France Femmes.