24.07.2026 World-Tour, News, Race news

MULTI-TALENTED ROSTER READY FOR TOUR DE FRANCE FEMMES AVEC ZWIFT

Temperatures have soared and the racing calendar has softened, with altitude camps and summer training blocks becoming the focus of the month. These quieter but no less demanding weeks of July climb steadily towards the metaphorical, physiological and geographical peaks of the season, all of which await at the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift (TDFFAZ).

While the men’s peloton has already been racing across one of the biggest stages in global sport, captivating a worldwide audience and inspiring countless dreams, the women are about to step into the same spotlight and ride their own lines.

Three exciting debutants, three experienced returnees and a former yellow jersey winner with four overall podium finishes will line up for CANYON//SRAM across nine brutal yet spectacular days in a soon-to-be-unveiled team design.

Making their first appearance at cycling’s biggest race are 21-year-old British mega-talent Zoe Bäckstedt, Giro d’Italia podium finisher Antonia Niedermaier and road-and-gravel ace Rosa Klöser.

The experienced and versatile Italian – Soraya Paladin – starts her fifth TDFFAZ, while fast-finishing compatriot Chiara Consonni returns for the first time since 2023 after a best stage finish of fourth on her debut.

Returning for her fourth Tour, the ever-reliable Agnieszka Skalniak-Sójka has always carried an ambition of winning a TDFFAZ stage, while the team’s overall hopes will once again be spearheaded by fellow Pole Kasia Niewiadoma-Phinney.

Two third-place finishes overall, the polka dot jersey and that unforgettable yellow triumph in 2024 already make for an extraordinary TDFFAZ resume, but Kasia’s hunger for success remains as strong as ever. Last year, she bounced back from heartbreak on Col de la Madeleine to salvage another podium finish on the final stage – an admirable display of character that, in truth, she no longer dwells on.

“Honestly, each season I just close the book and disconnect myself from the past because I always used to compare myself to previous years, and that would add extra, self-created pressure, and I’d feel like I needed to do better and better. So, the way I’ve been operating over the last few years is that each season is a new opportunity, a fresh page.

So, coming into this year’s Tour, I would definitely say that I’m richer in experience and have more knowledge of the Tour in general, which definitely gives me a little advantage. Because of that, I feel a bit calmer, and I also know what it takes to prepare perfectly for the race. This year is just a new opportunity. You’re only as good as your last race. It’s great to have a Tour victory on my palmares, but I definitely come in with a fresh mind and body ready to go after new experiences and, of course, the victory.”

It’s that balance between looking ahead and staying grounded in the present that helps Kasia prepare at her best.

“In some ways, I find a lot of joy and pleasure in the whole preparation for the tour. Classics are usually more chaotic and there are a lot of variables, and things happen that are out of your control. Whereas, any time I prepare for the tour, I’m in the mountains with the team, and with Taylor [Phinney]. The weather is great and the riding is amazing, so it just feels easier in some ways. And then, when when you really focus on one goal or you believe you can achieve something, then the extra motivation comes. Being more strict with yourself doesn’t feel like restriction, but like something that instead drives you even more.”

Asked what she wished people would question her on ahead of the Tour, her answer offered perhaps the clearest insight into where she stands before her fifth TDFFAZ.

“I guess I would say whether I’m a happy person or a happy rider, or if I believe that I’ve done everything I could to prepare myself and reach the best possible shape. And both answers would be yes.”

Hear from the other six members of our multi-talented TDFFAZ line-up:

Zoe Bäckstedt

– How does it feel to be lining up for your first TDFFAZ, and how do you manage the unknowns while still having strong ambitions?

“It’s exciting, it’s really cool. I’ve dreamt a little bit about being selected for the Tour in the last years, and I think that with the course this year – it’s going to be brutal for sure – but time trialling is the one thing that suits me the most so it’s really exciting. I think it’s going to be my favourite stage of the whole race, and it’s where I want to shine.”

– How do you manage the unknowns of the TDFFAZ while still arriving with strong form and ambitions?

“La Vuelta Femenina in 2024 was my only Grand Tour previously, and the one big stage race I’ve done, so coming into nine days of the Tour… I genuinely don’t know how it’s going to be. You can do Vuelta and you can do Giro, but I feel like the Tour is going to be at a completely different level after speaking to my teammates. They’re all like, “yeah, it’s something that is so insanely different to any other race.” You can’t explain how the feeling around the race is, and I’m really curious about that – the crowds, the media, the schedule of each day etc. all of these little different things change at the Tour.”

“I think every day is going to be a learning day. I would obviously love to go for a result in the time trial, but I can’t put too big an expectation on it because it’s my first Tour and my first time against actually all of the big riders. Obviously, Marlen [Reusser] was in Tour de Suisse, so that was a good first experience.”

Antonia Niedermaier

– After becoming somewhat of a Giro specialist, how are you feeling ahead of your first TDFFAZ?

“I mean, the Giro is obviously my favourite race, but now I’m making my TDFFAZ debut! I’m really looking forward to it – I think it’s a really nice race, and I feel like now I’m also ready for it. I’m really curious about how it will be because I think it’s totally different than the Giro, especially with all the media stuff and spectators. But, I’m not feeling too much pressure. I’m there for Kasia, but to also achieve a good GC result and maybe on a stage. For sure, I hope to be strong in the climbs, also in the TT, and to just give my best and prove that I belong in the TDFFAZ and with the best climbers. But, I also want to show that I can support my team and Kasia. For sure, she will also be super strong at the Tour, so let’s see what we can achieve as a team. I hope that we can celebrate a podium with Kasia in the end – I think that’s the main goal.”

Rosa Klöser

– Did you possibly imagine that this year, you’d be lining up at the TDFFAZ?

“At the start of the season, my race program was still quite open as I’m balancing gravel and road. I definitely didn’t expect to be racing the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift this season, but I think good progress and constantly showing up for my teammates has enabled me to now stand here and be ready to support them at the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift.”

– What would make your Tour debut feel like a success?

“I think, for me, a successful Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift would mean that I gave it my all, that I fully committed to supporting my teammates in whatever shape, form or way that can be, and that, at the end of the day, we’re proud of ourselves for how far we’ve come.”

Soraya Paladin

– What would leave you feeling satisfied after this year’s TDFFAZ, and which part of the route are you most looking forward to?

“At the end of the nine days, I’d love to look back knowing that I gave everything for the team, without any regrets and with some good memories to take home.”

“I can’t wait to go up Mont Ventoux. I did the climb already some years ago during Tour de l’Ardèche and have really good memories of it. The landscape at the top is something special and I guess that this year with the crowds, it will be unforgettable.”

Chiara Consonni

– You’re returning to the TDFFAZ. How are you feeling ahead of the race?

“For sure, I’m excited to come back to the Tour. I know it’s the most important race on the calendar, and I’m ready. First of all, I’m there to support the riders, and then we’ll see what happens. I know I need to be in good shape and have a lot of motivation, and I am. I’m really looking forward to the start, and we’ll see how it goes. But for sure, as I said, my priority is supporting the team.”

Agnieszka Skalniak-Sójka

– After four TDFFAZ, what still motivates you every time you line up at the race?

“Honestly, every Tour feels different. It’s still the biggest race of the year, and lining up against the best riders in the world is always exciting. What also motivates me is seeing how much the race keeps growing each year – the crowds, the atmosphere, and the impact it’s having on women’s cycling. It’s a privilege to be part of it, and that’s something I don’t take for granted.”

THE ROUTE

This year’s Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift will play out on a varied and captivating 1175km route, almost identical in distance to the 2025 edition, meandering from Switzerland into France and down to Nice on the stunning Côte d’Azur. Riders will face a record 18,800m of vertical gain – nearly 1000m more than in 2025. The route offers a balanced mix of undulating stages that could end in bunch sprints (peloton size to be determined!), alongside three mountainous days expected to prove decisive in the battle for the general classification. Opportunists and puncheurs will have plenty of chances to make their mark, starting on day one, which links Lac Léman and Neuchâtel from Lausanne. The battle for the first yellow jersey features several sustained climbs before culminating in a leg-sapping final 3km through the beating heart of the Grand Départ host city, with 2.5km averaging 5%.

Two of the most eye-catching additions to this year’s route are the return of an individual time trial following its absence in 2025, and the mammoth ascent of Mont Ventoux. The mythical Giant of Provence comes at the end of an already demanding queen stage and will undoubtedly serve as the defining battleground of the race.

At 1910m above sea level, riders will reach the iconic Ventoux moonscape after 15.8km of relentless climbing, adding another heavy layer of fatigue deep into the Tour. Yet, it would be a mistake to overlook the demanding 147km stage that precedes it. With more than 3000m of elevation gain, barely a straight road and countless technical twists and turns, stage six presents a complete tactical, mental and physical challenge long before the peloton begins the hors catégorie ascent of Mont Ventoux.

The longest stage of the Tour arrives on day 7, with a 175km journey from Sisteron to Nice. Despite the distance, it features the least climbing of any road stage at 1420m, presenting a very different obstacle for the peloton.

To ensure the battle for yellow remains alive right until the very end, the race concludes with a four-lap, 99km circuit around Nice. With plenty still on the line, the final stage promises one last opportunity to shape the general classification before the 2026 Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift champion is crowned.

HOW TO FOLLOW

Stage 2 | Sun, Aug 2 | Aigle – Geneva | 149km | 1750m | 14:20 – 17:47 CET | Live 15:45

Stage 3 | Mon, Aug 3 | Geneva – Poligny | 157km | 2430m | 13:45 – 17:40 CET | Live 15:45

Stage 5 | Wed, Aug 5 | Mâcon – Belleville-en-Beaujolais | 140km | 2850m | 13:45 – 17:41 CET | Live 13:35 (in full)

Stage 6 | Thu, Aug 6 | Montbrison – Tournon-sur-Rhône | 153km | 2650m | 13:35 – 17:41 CET | Live 15:45

Stage 7 | Fri, Aug 7 | La Voulte sur Rhône – Mont Ventoux | 144km | 3565m | 12:50 – 17:17 CET | Live 15:20

Stage 8 | Sat, Aug 8 | Sisteron – Nice | 175km | 1420m | 13:40 – 17:43 CET | Live 15:45

Stage 9 | Sun, Aug 9 | Nice – Nice | 99km | 2175m | 16:05 – 18:51 CET | Live 15:55 (in full)

Watch every stage live on TNT Sports, Eurosport, HBO Max, France TV, RTBF (BEL), Flobikes (CAN), Peacock (USA) ESPN (Latin America), SBS Sport (AUS) and other regional providers. Stay updated on X with #TDFF2026, #WatchTheFemmes, and follow CANYON//SRAM social channels for the latest team updates.

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