Things looked quite different under the ‘Teufelslappen’. Niewiadoma, who had already launched an attack 9.3 kilometres from the finish, gradually extended her lead and entered the final 1,000 metres with a lead of almost two minutes. But then Vollering fired up the rocket once more. Whilst she had been riding wheel-to-wheel with Marlen Reusser (Movistar Team) up to that point, the attack opened up a gap of half a minute. Reusser, who was exhausted and by then also mentally shaken, also had to let Elisa Longo Borghini (UAE Team L’IMAD) pass her and finished fourth, 1 minute and 46 seconds behind Niewiadoma.

Longo Borghini, who had previously covered almost the entire climb alongside her team-mate Paula Blasi, Antonia Niedermaier (CANYON//SRAM) and Cédrine Kerbaol (EF Education-Oatly), was ultimately four seconds faster than the Swiss rider, who dropped two places in the general classification and is now third. Blasi and Niedermaier crossed the line in a tie, just behind Reusser, meaning the German retained the white jersey and fifth place in the general classification.

Niewiadoma’s first international success since her Tour victory in 2025

The other jerseys remain with Lorena Wiebes (SD Worx – Protime), whose team-mate Anna van der Breggen withdrew before the stage, as the leader of the points classification, and Puck Pieterse (Fenix-Premier Tech) at the top of the mountains classification.

For Niewiadoma, who was crowned the 2024 Tour overall winner in a four-second thriller against Vollering, it was the first stage victory of her Tour career. Although the 31-year-old claimed to be “speechless” in her victory interview, she could not contain her joy. “I feel so much gratitude. This victory is for all the people who have stood by me during this rather long dry spell without a major win.” Apart from last year’s Polish road championship title, the 2024 Tour victory was in fact her last ever first-place finish to date.

“As we were cycling up the climb to Mont Ventoux, I looked to my right and saw my parents. It was a massive surprise. My dad was in tears. I just thought to myself, I have to make them proud now. So this victory is for my family, my friends, my team, my husband Taylor and my coach. Especially for my team manager Ronny Lauke. They know how much I had to put into this victory.”

2026 Tour de France Femmes – Results of Stage 7

Here’s how the 7th stage of the 2026 Tour de France Femmes unfolded

As expected, the Ventoux stage proved to be a gruelling affair. The peloton rode the first 60 kilometres or so of the day almost entirely as a tight group. Whilst Pieterse was able to pick up five points for the mountains’ jersey unchallenged on the Col de la Grande Limite (Category 2), a group attempted to break away at the foot of the next climb, the Col du Colombier (Category 3), as the ascent began. However, this attempt was not pursued with any real determination and was thwarted once again shortly afterwards. For Pieterse, this meant three more points at the summit.

With 80 kilometres to go, there were further attempts to form a breakaway group. A group of ten riders, led by former world champion Amalie Dideriksen (Cofidis Women Team), quickly built up a two-minute lead. However, the gap was halved again on the Col de Suzette (2nd category). Ruby Roseman-Gannon (Liv Jayco AlUla), the last remaining breakaway rider, was caught 18 kilometres from the finish.

Right at the start of the climb, Pauline Ferrand-Prévot (Team Visma | Lease a Bike) was forced to let the group pull away after Liane Lippert (Movistar Team) had put in a kilometre at full throttle, which immediately thinned out the leading group considerably. All the attacks came to nothing. First Niamh Fisher-Black (Lidl - Trek) overreached, then Célia Gery (FDJ United - SUEZ) did the same.

​Niewiadoma’s attack pays off, Vollering gives it his all

Vollering launched an attack with eleven kilometres to go. Reusser and Niewiadoma went with him. Behind them, Longo Borghini, Blasi, Kerbaol and Niedermaier formed the first chasing group.

With 9.3 kilometres to go, Niewiadoma made her move. Once again, Reusser and Vollering kept a close eye on each other and allowed the gap to open up. Subsequently, the Dutch rider launched a series of attacks in an attempt to catch up with the Polish rider at the front whilst simultaneously shaking off the Yellow Jersey. Initially, however, the tactic proved completely ineffective. Seven kilometres from the finish, Niewiadoma had built up a 50-second lead.

With five kilometres to go, the gap was already 70 seconds. And whilst Niewiadoma continued to extend her lead, the second chasing group led by Niedermaier closed the gap on Reusser and Vollering to just 15 seconds from behind. Niewiadoma rode her solo breakaway through to the end.

Vollering, however, put in an incredible finish. With 700 metres to go, she left Reusser behind and made up another 40 seconds on the Polish rider, who nevertheless managed to take the yellow jersey. Reusser, on the other hand, was also overtaken by Longo Borghini. Niedermaier finished sixth, level on time with Blasi.