Pauline Ferrand‑Prévot seeks to defend Tour de France Femmes yellow jersey in 2026
French cyclist Pauline Ferrand‑Prévot, the 2025 Tour de France Femmes champion, is preparing to defend her yellow jersey at the 2026 edition. She said she has “nothing to lose, I already won the Tour” and highlighted a preparation plan that was less brutal early in the season but delivered higher power outputs than the previous year.
Visma‑Lease a Bike, the team that supported her 2025 victory, has built its 2026 strategy around “Project Yellow”. Team manager Rutger Tijssen noted the race will be “very heavy”, with nine stages starting in Lausanne, Switzerland, and a decisive finish on Mont Ventoux in stage 7. The squad includes five Dutch riders – Marianne Vos, Lieke Nooijen, Daniek Hengeveld, Femke de Vries and Sarah van Dam – alongside fellow French rider Marion Bunel.
Marianne Vos is expected to act as road captain and versatile stage hunter, complementing Ferrand‑Prévot’s title defence. Other contenders mentioned are Dutch riders Demi Vollering and Poland’s Kasia Niewiadoma, who finished second in 2025. The race will also feature a time trial and stages reminiscent of Liège‑Bastogne‑Liège, adding tactical complexity for all teams.
Entities: Marianne Vos · Mont Ventoux · Pauline Ferrand‑Prévot · Rutger Tijssen · Team Visma | Lease a Bike · Tour de France Femmes 2026 · Visma | Lease a Bike · Visma‑Lease a Bike
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Ferrand‑Prévot set objectives to win the Tour of Flanders and Liège‑Bastogne‑Liège in 2026. (Ferrand‑Prévot)
- [● 2 SOURCES] Her preparation featured a less brutal early season and higher power outputs than the previous year. (existing)
- [● 4 SOURCES] Pauline Ferrand‑Prévot won the Tour de France Femmes in 2025. (existing)
- [● 2 SOURCES] Pauline Ferrand‑Prévot aims to defend her Tour de France Femmes 2026 title. (Ferrand‑Prévot)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Team Visma | Lease a Bike built its strategy around helping Ferrand‑Prévot defend the yellow jersey. (team strategy)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Vos's role includes supporting Ferrand‑Prévot's yellow‑jersey defense. (analysis)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Marianne Vos is considered a versatile stage hunter for the 2026 Tour de France Femmes. (analysis)
- [● 4 SOURCES] The 2026 Tour route includes stages in Lausanne, Poligny, Mont Ventoux and finishes in Nice. (existing)
- [● 3 SOURCES] Pauline Ferrand‑Prévot aims to defend the yellow jersey at the 2026 Tour de France Femmes. (new)
- [● 2 SOURCES] Other favourites for the 2026 Tour include Dutch rider Demi Vollering and Poland’s Kasia Niewiadoma. (new)
- [● 2 SOURCES] Marianne Vos will act as road captain and versatile stage hunter for Visma‑Lease a Bike. (new)
- [● 2 SOURCES] Visma‑Lease a Bike’s 2026 squad includes five Dutch riders: Marianne Vos, Lieke Nooijen, Daniek Hengeveld, Femke de Vries and Sarah van Dam, plus Marion Bunel. (new)