UAE Team ADQ continued to shine in Stage 8 of the Tour de France Femmes, a demanding 111.9 km route from Chambéry to the iconic Col de la Madeleine.
Maeva Squiban once again lit up the race with a long breakaway effort, joining a group of 13 riders at the front. Meanwhile, Dominika Włodarczyk rode confidently in the group of favorites, keeping her focus on the general classification.
The Breton rider – already a two-time stage winner in this edition of Le Tour Femmes – fought hard for points in the Queen of the Mountains classification, battling against polka dot jersey wearer Elise Chabbey. As the race progressed and the leading group splintered, Squiban eventually dropped back. But not before giving her all and offering crucial support to her teammate Włodarczyk ahead of the final brutal ascent.
On the long and grueling climb to the Col de la Madeleine, it was time for the GC contenders to make their moves. Squiban did her part in the early slopes, pacing Włodarczyk, who then delivered a remarkable performance in the closing kilometers. The 24-year-old Polish rider stayed in contact with some of the biggest names in the peloton – including Kasia Niewiadoma and Demi Vollering, both major contenders from last year’s Tour.
At the summit finish, Włodarczyk crossed the line in a superb seventh place, a result that also catapulted her into seventh in the overall standings.
Stage winner and new yellow jersey wearer is Pauline Ferrand-Prévot (Team Visma | Lease a Bike), after a commanding ride on home soil.
After the stage, a visibly emotional Dominika Włodarczyk shared: “I don’t even know what to say – this was such an unexpected performance for me. To find myself climbing alongside Demi Vollering and the top GC riders felt surreal. I’m incredibly happy, especially because the team really believed in me. They worked so hard today, and I realized maybe the only one who didn’t believe in myself enough was me. I owe a huge thanks to this amazing team. We’re doing something truly special.”
Tomorrow, the final chapter of this unforgettable journey will unfold, with Stage 9 covering 124.1 km from Praz-sur-Arly to Châtel Les Portes du Soleil.
(ph. Getty Sport)
