Tour de France Femmes: Swiss riders Rüegg and Reusser in top 10 after opening stage

Lorena Wiebes of the Netherlands claimed victory on the opening stage of the Tour de France Femmes in Lausanne, prevailing in a sprint finish after 138 kilometers. Kim Le Court of Mauritius and Wiebes' compatriot Demi Vollering followed in second and third place, respectively. This marked Wiebes' 131st professional win and sixth at the Tour de France.

Despite a short, steep climb into Lausanne, the stage concluded with a sprint. The best-placed Swiss rider was Noemi Rüegg, who secured a strong fifth position. This was Rüegg's first race after recovering from a broken upper arm sustained three months prior. She described the course as "extremely difficult" and the sprint as a "monster sprint," noting that while she felt good, she hesitated to initiate the sprint herself, and her legs eventually faltered. Rüegg expressed confidence in her recovery, stating she has "closed this chapter" and is starting a new one.

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It was an extremely difficult course, a monster sprint. But I felt good. I didn't dare to start the sprint myself, and in the end, my legs faltered a bit.

Marlen Reusser experienced a scare when she crashed 22 kilometers before the finish but quickly rejoined the peloton. She signaled her ambitions for the general classification by finishing in a strong tenth place. The course in the Vaud canton offered varied terrain, and it was uncertain if pure sprinters could handle the final climb to the Cathedral of St. François. Consequently, general classification contenders also stayed at the front, preventing any favorites from gaining an advantage.

The stage was initially shaped by a four-rider breakaway that built a lead of up to six minutes. However, the group was caught as expected on the approach to Lausanne along Lake Geneva. The race continues with subsequent stages, testing the endurance and tactics of the peloton.

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I have closed this chapter, now I am opening a new one.