According to the currently confirmed start list, six German riders will be competing in the 2026 Tour de France Femmes: Antonia Niedermaier, Rosa Klöser, Hannah Ludwig, Franziska Koch, Linda Riedmann and Liane Lippert. The race begins on 1 August in Lausanne and covers nine stages, finishing in Nice. The route includes, amongst other things, an individual time trial, several hilly sections and a mountain finish on Mont Ventoux.
This means the German squad is larger and more versatile than a simple look at the general classification and stage contenders would suggest. The six riders will be taking on different roles. Some will support their team captains, whilst others may be given the freedom to join breakaway groups. Rosa Klöser and Antonia Niedermaier are also set to make their debuts at the Tour de France Femmes.
Antonia Niedermaier and Rosa Klöser for Canyon//SRAM
Antonia Niedermaier is one of the younger German riders with a clear profile for stage races. The 23-year-old recently demonstrated this with her second place at the Giro d’Italia Donne. Her strengths lie primarily in longer climbs and demanding general classifications. At Canyon//SRAM, she rides alongside Kasia Niewiadoma, who is one of the most experienced general classification riders in the field and has already competed in the Tour won two years ago in a thrilling final against Demi Vollering.
Niedermaier could therefore take on a dual role. On the one hand, she will primarily be supporting Niewiadoma in crucial race situations. On the other hand, she herself has the potential to aim for a good overall placing in the mountains during her first Tour. Just how much freedom she will have will depend on how the race unfolds and the hierarchy within the team.
The biggest test comes on the seventh stage, which finishes on Mont Ventoux and is likely to be the highlight of this year’s Tour. Anyone who manages to keep up with the top general classification riders there can take a big step forward in the overall standings.
A debut for Rosa Klöser, too
Rosa Klöser is also set to make her debut at the Tour de France Femmes. The German rider originally came from the world of gravel cycling and won the Unbound Gravel 200 in 2024, one of the world’s best-known gravel races. She has been riding for Canyon//SRAM on the road since 2025.
In her first appearance in the world’s biggest women’s race, Klöser will primarily be needed as a support rider. Her role is to guide the general classification contenders through hectic phases of the race, secure positions ahead of key climbs and, where necessary, work in the wind for long stretches. Her experience from long gravel races could prove particularly valuable on turbulent and difficult-to-control stages.
Klöser demonstrated that she can also ride aggressively on the road at the 2026 Paris-Roubaix Femmes. She launched an attack after just nine kilometres and rode alone at the front of the peloton for a considerable time. Her lead grew to around 1 minute 30 seconds before she was caught again 77 kilometres from the finish.
A similar role is also conceivable in the Tour. If Canyon//SRAM needs to protect its team leader, Niewiadoma, in the general classification, Klöser will initially ride in support of the team. However, if a large breakaway group forms on a hilly stage, she could be given the freedom to attack herself. Her endurance, versatility and attacking racing style make her an interesting rider for long breakaway groups.
Liane Lippert for Movistar
Liane Lippert is the most experienced German rider in the squad. The Movistar rider has experience in major stage races and can play a key role on a variety of course profiles.
At Movistar, the Swiss rider Marlen Reusser is the team’s focal point. However, Lippert has enough class to capitalise on her own opportunities. She won a stage at the 2023 Tour. The 28-year-old is particularly drawn to the hilly stages and race situations where a small group breaks away from the peloton.
In a gruelling final stretch, Lippert could set a fast pace, support her captain or go for a stage win herself. Her strength lies not only in her top speed; she can also tackle long climbs and undulating courses without being limited to any one type of route profile.
The first stages around Lausanne and Geneva should suit her. Stages five and six also offer opportunities if the race is characterised by early attacks and breakaway attempts. The Route overview for the 2026 Tour de France Femmes shows that the tour has more than just one day in the mountains in store.
Franziska Koch will be competing for FDJ United-SUEZ as German champion
Franziska Koch is riding for FDJ United-SUEZ alongside Demi Vollering, who is regarded as one of the main favourites for the Yellow Jersey. Koch’s role will therefore depend heavily on how the race unfolds and the position of her team captain.
The German rider has a versatile skill set. She can maintain a high pace on undulating roads, secure valuable positions in hectic race situations and support her team-mates over extended periods. Following her victory at Paris-Roubaix Femmes and the German national title, she also heads into the stage race on the back of some significant successes.
On the tough stages, Koch is likely to focus primarily on working for Vollering at first. She can control the pace before crucial climbs, close gaps or get her team captain into a good position. Should Vollering be well placed in the general classification, Koch’s support will be particularly needed on stages with frequent changes of direction and climbs.
At the same time, Koch is strong enough to make his mark himself, provided he is given the go-ahead to race. A breakaway group on a hilly stage would be the most likely scenario for him to launch his own attack. However, his chances of success will depend on how much freedom FDJ United-SUEZ grants him in the battle for the yellow jersey.
Hannah Ludwig for Cofidis Women’s Team
Hannah Ludwig is competing in the Tour for the second time with Cofidis. The former European Under-23 time trial champion brings experience from international stage races and could prove particularly valuable on the flat, as part of the team and during prolonged periods of exertion.
Cofidis is fielding a versatile squad. For Ludwig, the main focus is likely to be on supporting the team on the flatter and technically demanding stages. This includes positioning herself ahead of key race sections, doing the chasing work in pursuit groups, and supporting her team-mates through hectic phases of the race.
The time trial in Dijon is a special stage for Ludwig. At 21 kilometres, the course is relatively short, but it also includes a climb (1.8 km at 6.9%). This means that it’s not just pure aerodynamics that count, but above all good pace management and the ability to maintain a consistently high level of effort throughout the entire course.
Should Cofidis wish to get a rider into a breakaway group on one of the hilly stages, Ludwig could be an option. Her experience and time-trial skills make her a rider who can make a contribution even in longer breakaway groups.
Linda Riedmann makes her return to the Tour for Lotto-Intermarché
Linda Riedmann rides for Lotto-Intermarché, marking her return to the big stage of the Tour de France Femmes. The German rider already has experience of the race (having competed in 2024) and moved from Team Visma | Lease a Bike to her current team for the 2026 season.
His role is likely to be largely determined by the team’s objectives. Lotto-Intermarché does not have the same depth in the general classification as the big favourite teams. For Riedmann, however, this could open up more tactical options.
On flatter stages, she can work as part of the team and help her teammates through the crucial sections of the race. On undulating sections, breakaway attempts are also a possibility. If Lotto-Intermarché wants to place a rider in a breakaway group, Riedmann could be a key option.
For her, therefore, this tour is not just about a single result. What is also crucial is whether she can hold her own against the international field and, once again, open up tactical opportunities for her team.
Conclusion on the German riders at the 2026 Tour de France Femmes
The German squad covers several racing roles. Niedermaier is the rider with the greatest potential in the general classification. Lippert and Koch can take on important tactical roles on tough stages and, given the right freedom, fight for top placings themselves.
Klöser, Ludwig and Riedmann, on the other hand, are known above all for their teamwork, racing experience and versatility. These qualities are crucial, particularly in a nine-day stage race. The Tour is not decided solely on Mont Ventoux. Positioning before climbs, how riders handle crosswinds and their performance in breakaway groups can all influence the course of the race.
Current status: The information is based on the confirmed start list published on 31 July 2026. Changes may still be made before the start on 1 August.
Lukas Niebuhr
Editor