Wiebes doubles up to win Tour de France Femmes stage two and stay in yellow

Lorena Wiebes of the Netherlands secured her second consecutive stage victory at the Tour de France Femmes, winning the second stage in Geneva with a powerful sprint. The win also allowed the Team SD Worx-Protime rider to extend her overall lead in the general classification.

Wiebes launched her sprint from the main bunch with approximately 200 meters remaining in the 147.9-km stage from Aigle. She comfortably held off her rivals, including Italy's Elisa Balsamo, who finished second, and compatriot Marianne Vos, who was third. Wiebes celebrated her seventh career Tour de France stage win, her first while wearing the coveted yellow jersey.

"Winning in yellow makes it for sure special but also because, again, our team worked really hard for it," Wiebes commented after the stage. "The girls were chasing full, full gas in the final to bring back Riejanne Markus, so it's even more beautiful to finish it off in the yellow."

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I knew that it was up to me to find my own way. I found some good wheels and I could come out I think around 200 metres to go and then I just could launch my sprint.

The stage featured an anticipated sprint finish, though Riejanne Markus attempted a daring solo breakaway with less than 500 meters to go. Her effort, which saw her gain a minute on the peloton with 40 km remaining, was ultimately unsuccessful as the pack reeled her in just before the finish line.

Wiebes now holds a 14-second lead over Kimberley Le Court of Mauritius in the overall standings. Defending champion Demi Vollering sits third, a further two seconds behind. The race continues with stage three, a 156.5-km ride from Geneva to Poligny, France.

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Winning in yellow makes it for sure special but also because, again, our team worked really hard for it. The girls were chasing full, full gas in the final to bring back Riejanne Markus, so it's even more beautiful to finish it off in the yellow.