The penultimate stage of the 2025 Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift should prove to be crucial, with fireworks expected in the GC battle on the imposing Col de la Madeleine.
After seven days of enthralling action - and serious physical and mental demands on the peloton - there will be no respite on the queen stage of the 2025 edition.
The Stage 8 parcours will take the riders immediately uphill into the Bauges massif, with the first major difficulty coming on the way out of Chambery in the form of the Col de Plainpalais (Cat. 1, 13.2km at 6.3%).
After crossing the less demanding Col du Frêne, rolling roads follow on the way to the intermediate sprint at Châteauneuf and then flatter roads lead to the Côte de Saint-Georges-d’Hurtières (Cat. 2, 4.8km at 5.9%).
The riders will then power across 20km of flat terrain at what will likely be a very rapid pace, as the teams in the bunch jostle for position ahead of the final hors catégorie climb.
They will tackle the toughest climb of the Col de la Madeleine, extending to 18.6km, with regular changes in gradient (averaging 8.1%) and a rough surface. This famous climb will provide plenty of opportunities to create gaps.
The GC battle is finely poised, with Kim Le Court-Pienaar (AG Insurance-Soudal Team) leading overall by 26” from Pauline Ferrand-Prevot (Team Visma | Lease a Bike), whilst defending champion Kasia Niewiadoma-Phinney (CANYON//SRAM zondacrypto) is third at 30” and 2023 Tour winner Vollering is fourth at 31”. Have your popcorn at the ready and prepare yourself for some explosive viewing.
