After loading the legs with three days of demanding but productive racing at Volta Ciclista a Catalunya Femenina, CANYON//SRAM zondacrypto Generation riders Maddie le Roux, Jule Märkl, Joëlle Messemer, Awen Roberts and Emily Dixon carry the momentum into the Tour Féminin International des Pyrénées – a UCI 2.1 stage race running from June 13-15.

Three stages and 371.1 kilometres await, following a convenient north-western, trans-border road trip from Girona to the Hautes-Pyrénées – a French department draped across farmland to the high mountains in France’s south-west.

Sports director Gosia Jasinska shares her thoughts and objectives for the squad ahead of the race:

“When we see the start list, there are some WorldTeams, but I think after Catalunya, this will be a good race for us. In Catalunya, our girls could experience and learn a little bit more about racing with WorldTeams and riders. Maybe the level in the Pyrénées will be a little different, but it’s still always high when WorldTeams are there. Because of this, I think the first goal is racing together, like always – something we must continue to improve.

For sure, the strongest rider for the overall tour is Awen right now, but we must remember that we have four other strong riders, and I also want to show their skills. Joëlle and Jule – they are perfect in positioning, so they can keep the team in a good place and help save the energy of the others. Maddie and Emily – they are good climbers, but I want them to try racing more aggressively and to show their team colours on these roads. A top 15 general classification result for one of them would be a very good outcome, and I really hope for that. But first, we must try to be all together. This will make me the happiest, because the key to a good final result is racing like a team.

I also want them to keep observing what the WorldTeams do, and ride at their best level to show that they are people and riders who deserve to be riding the WorldTour in the future.”

The fourth edition of Tour Féminin des Pyrénées opens with a 120km stage that stays clear of the lofty peaks usually defining the region. Instead, the route weaves through gently undulating countryside, with only minimal climbing to contend with. A larger bunch finish is expected, although a fast and curvaceous descent leading into the final flat kilometre could make things nervy in the closing minutes.

Saturday brings the crunch point of the tour. The stage begins similarly flat, with just a scattering of small hills before the road gradually tilts upward as the peloton passes through the pilgrimage town of Lourdes and heads towards the Col du Soulor – a climb with two distinct phases. It is firstly 6.5km at 5.6%, followed by a short plateau, then a more sustained effort of 7.3km at 8.1% to the summit. Often overshadowed by more famous neighbours like the Col du Tourmalet and Col d’Aubisque, Soulor still packs a serious punch – the four figures of elevation gain it offers will undoubtedly shape the general classification. This mythical ascent has featured countless times in the men’s Tour de France – most recently in 2019, when it preceded a summit finish atop the Tourmalet.

Sunday’s stage is far from a ceremonial finale, with the 127km from Abidos to Pau bringing yet another shift in terrain. A relentless series of short but sharp climbs, none longer than 2.5km and packed with punchy gradients, are scattered across the day’s rippled roads. The final ascent includes ramps of over 15%, with just 10km separating the summit from the worthy finishing location in Pau. While the GC will be shaped by then, small time gaps amongst riders are still possible, creating more defined pockets of inter-ranking tension. Combine this with a stage win in play, and the conclusion should be electric.

HOW TO FOLLOW

Stage 1 | Friday, June 13 | Arzacq-Arraziguet – Barbazan-Debat | 112.7km | 981m elevation | Start: 11:45 – Fastest finish: 15:00 CET.

Stage 2 | Saturday, June 14 | Trie Sur Baise – Col du Soulor | 134.7km | 2420m elevation | Start: 10:55 – Fastest finish: 14:45 CET.

Stage 3 | Sunday, June 15 | Abidos – Pau | 127.3km | 2200m elevation | Start: 10:50 – Fastest finish: 14:20 CET.

All stages will be broadcast live on France 3 NOA and France TV digital platforms – from 13:45 on Friday and Saturday, and from 13:15 on Sunday. Stay updated on X with #TFIP2025, and follow CANYON//SRAM zondacrypto’s social channels for the latest team updates.