Published on : 08/07/2026
The seventh stage of the Tour de France Femmes took the peloton from La Voulte-sur-Rhône to the summit of Mont Ventoux. This legendary finish, on the slopes of the “Giant of Provence,” was the highlight stage of the 2026 edition of the race.
As expected, the top climbers engaged in an intense battle on the final ascent, setting a fast pace all the way to the summit. For Ema Comte, this stage held special significance. The young French rider was tackling the slopes of Mont Ventoux—an iconic climb in the world of cycling—for the first time in competition. At the end of this grueling effort, she crossed the finish line in an encouraging 30th place. This day marks another milestone in the young Cofidis rider’s development as she competes against the best climbers in the world.
The reaction
Ema Comte: "Mont Ventoux was my first time racing. I really enjoyed it. I did everything at my own pace. I got my rhythm back after two tough days. I was just in the gruppetto and wasn’t having fun anymore. I was struggling to keep up; I couldn’t find my place in the pack. But today, we were in good shape. I think the whole team was in better shape. Malwina Mul did a great job of getting me back into position. It was so much fun. It’s thanks to her that I was able to climb at my own pace. The crowd was really great, too. There were so many people. I tried to enjoy it as much as possible."