Squiban wins historic back-to-back stages

Maeva Squiban produced another stunning performance to make Tour de Femmes history with back-to-back stage wins as Kim le Court retained the yellow jersey.

A day after becoming only the second French rider to win a stage, 23-year-old Squiban powered away from the chasing group with about 20km remaining as she approached the summit of the Col du Granier.

She crossed the line 51 seconds clear of compatriot Cedrine Kerbaol, becoming the first French rider to win two stages on the tour.

Le Court, who became the first African rider to win a stage in the Tour on Wednesday, caught up to the chasing group on the final descent into Chambery to finish sixth and retain the yellow jersey.

“I wasn’t feeling so good since the start of the stage, the last few days I’ve been going through some stuff,” said the 29-year-old from Mauritius.

“On the last climb it was difficult, my body just shut off. Then I had to do the best downhill of my life.”

France’s Pauline Ferrand-Prevot remains second in the general classification, with defending champion Katarzyna Niewiadoma-Phinney third and 2023 winner Demi Vollering just behind.

The top five in the general classification are separated by 35 seconds with two stages remaining.

1. Maeva Squiban (Fra/UAE Team ADQ) 3hrs 58mins 26secs

2. Cedrine Kerbaol (Fra/EF Education-Oatly) +51secs

3. Ruth Edwards (USA/Human Powered Health) same time

4. Shirin van Anrooij (Ned/Lidl-Trek) +53secs

5. Dominika Wlodarczyk (Pol/UAE Team ADQ) +1min

6. Kim le Court (Mau/AG Insurance-Soudal) same time

7. Anna van der Breggen (Ned/SD Worx-Protime)

8. Demi Vollering (Ned/FDJ-Suez)

9. Katarzyna Niewiadoma-Phinney (Pol/Canyon-Sram-ZondaCrypto)

1. Kim le Court (Mau/AG Insurance-Soudal) 22hrs 28mins 31secs

2. Pauline Ferrand-Prevot (Fra/Visma-Lease a Bike) +26secs

3. Katarzyna Niewiadoma-Phinney (Pol/Canyon-Sram-ZondaCrypto) +30secs

4. Demi Vollering (Ned/FDJ-Suez) +31secs

5. Anna van der Breggen (Ned/SD Worx-Protime +35secs

6. Pauliena Rooijakkers (Ned/Fenix-Deceuninck) +1min 4secs

7. Cedrine Kerbaol (Fra/EF Education-Oatly) +1min 9secs

8. Sarah Gigante (Aus/AG Insurance-Soudal) +1min 14secs

9. Evita Muzic (Fra/FDJ-Suez) +1min 35secs