2 min readStage 5 of the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift was a 140 km route from Mâcon to Belleville-en-Beaujolais, with Demi Vollering (FDJ United Suez) claiming the stage win. With temperatures soaring into the high 90s and numerous climbs, many top riders were dropped by the lead group, causing them to lose time in the General Classification ranking. For everyday riders, it was a lesson in pacing over a long ride, riding your own pace, and being prepared to be out longer than you might expect.
The fifth stage of the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift took riders on a 140-kilometer, hilly route in Burgundy from Mâcon to Belleville-en-Beaujolais. After a late breakaway, Demi Vollering (FDJ United Suez) bested overall leader Marlen Reusser (Movistar) and Kasia Niewiadoma-Phinney (Canyon/SRAM) in a three-way sprint to the line.
As with many stages of this year’s Tours—both in the women’s and men’s events—high temperatures played a major role in the day’s outcome. Combined with the eight climbs and temperatures in the high 90s, many top-ranked riders were dropped by the lead group (including defending champion Pauline Ferrand-Prévot). Several favorites lost time in the General Classification ranking, with PFP dropping to 17th overall and Cedrine Kerbaol falling into 9th position.
Bicycling’s expert staff discusses how cyclists like us can learn from today’s stage for our long rides, particularly in hot weather. This includes riding at your own pace, stopping for water or cool-downs as needed, and being prepared to be out longer than originally planned. Tara recounts her own experiences and lessons from riding in similar weather conditions when she recently rode a stage of the men’s Tour.
Stage 5 Podium
Demi Vollering Marlen ReusserKasia Niewiadoma-Phinney
GC Standings After Stage 5
Marlen ReusserDemi Vollering +12 secKasia Niewiadoma-Phinney +1 min, 17 secAntonia Niedermaier +2 min, 40 secDominika Wlodarczyk +2 min, 54 sec
As Deputy Editor, Tara Seplavy leads Bicycling’s product test team; after having previously led product development and sourcing for multiple bike brands, run World Championship winning mountain bike teams, wrenched at renowned bicycle shops in Brooklyn, raced everything from criteriums to downhill, and ridden bikes on six different continents (landing herself in hospital emergency rooms in four countries and counting). Based in Easton, Pennsylvania, Tara spends tons of time on the road and trail testing products. A familiar face at cyclocross races, crits, and bike parks in the Mid Atlantic and New England, on weekends she can often be found racing for the New York City-based CRCA/KruisCX team. When not riding a bike, or talking about them, Tara listens to a lot of ska, punk, and emo music, and consumes too much social media.
Molly writes about cycling, nutrition and training with an emphasis on bringing more women into sport. She’s the author of nine books including the Shred Girls series and is the founder of Strong Girl Publishing. She co-hosts The Consummate Athlete Podcast and spends most of her free time biking and running on trails, occasionally joined by her mini-dachshund.