Harshita Jakhar Becomes First Indian Woman in Tour de France Femmes

Nineteen‑year‑old Harshita Jakhar, a cyclist from Rajasthan, was selected for the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) World Cycling Talent programme and rode the ceremonial start of Stage 2 of the Tour de France Femmes in Lausanne, Switzerland. She completed the 4.5‑km neutralised ride alongside eight young riders from Afghanistan, Algeria, Chile, Ethiopia, Namibia and Uganda. UCI President David Lappartient praised her talent, saying the programme is excited to have India’s very talented Harshita and that she will likely return to compete in the race itself. Jakhar trains at the Sports Authority of India’s National Centre of Excellence in Patiala under her father and former cyclist Rakesh Jakhar, and has previously won three gold medals at the 2025 Khelo India Youth Games and medals at the 2024 Asian Junior Cycling Championships. The Tour de France Femmes runs from 1 August to 9 August, finishing in Nice.