The Tour de France Femmes kicks off in Lausanne, Switzerland on Saturday, but the spotlight is on the race's inaugural ascent of the legendary Mont Ventoux. Riders will tackle 1,175km across nine stages, the longest since the event's return to the World Tour calendar in 2022.

Among the standout challenges is the seventh stage, which leads to the telecommunications and meteorological tower atop Mont Ventoux, a historic climb that has seen legends like Eddy Merckx, Marco Pantani, and Chris Froome triumph in the men's race.

Pauline Ferrand-Prevot, last year's champion from Visma Lease a Bike, seeks to defend her title against formidable competitors like Demi Vollering from FDJ-Suez United. "I've climbed Mont Ventoux quite a lot in the past," Ferrand-Prevot said, emphasizing her preparation for this monumental challenge.

The climb has a storied past, including the tragic death of British cyclist Tom Simpson in 1967. Ferrand-Prevot, who returned to road cycling in 2025 and made history as the first Frenchwoman to win since Jeannie Longo in 1989, aims to inspire future cyclists with her campaign, featuring a jersey designed by children.

With the addition of a team time trial this year, Ferrand-Prevot faces stiff competition from Vollering, who has secured podium finishes in the past three editions. Kasia Niewiadoma-Phinney from Canyon-SRAM is another key contender, banking on her experience after consistently placing in the top three.

The race also sees Zoe Backstedt, a promising 21-year-old debutant from Britain, who boasts seven wins this season and a notable family legacy in cycling. Other British riders, including Pfeiffer Georgi and Alice Towers, will be supporting their teams, while Cat Ferguson misses out due to injuries.

As excitement builds for this historic event, fans eagerly await the drama that unfolds on the slopes of Mont Ventoux.