Published on : 07/04/2026
What a week it has been for Cofidis at the Volta a Portugal Feminina! After two one-two finishes in two days, the team kept the momentum going on Saturday during Stage 4 with another strong performance from Victoire Berteau. Finishing third on the day, the French rider claimed the yellow jersey ahead of the final stage.
Due to wildfires affecting the Águeda region and the high density of smoke, the organisers had to modify the route. As a result, the stage was shortened to 84.5 km instead of the originally planned 109.1 km to ensure the safety of the entire peloton.
The race quickly came to life. Victoire Berteau, sitting 4th overall at the start of the day, made her way into a breakaway of five riders. Behind them, the peloton split into two groups. Despite the breakaway’s efforts, the peloton eventually came back in the final kilometres.
Well positioned all the way to the finish, Victoire Berteau secured a valuable third place. Thanks to the bonus seconds, she moves into the yellow jersey with just a one-second advantage over second place heading into the final stage.
Another major highlight for Cofidis, who have enjoyed an impressive run since the start of this Volta a Portugal Feminina, following the one-two finishes of Martina Alzini and Kristýna Burlová on Thursday, then Marion Borras and Victoire Berteau in Friday’s time trial.
Reaction:
Gaëtan Lemoine, sports director :
“The stage was shortened due to a fire near the finish town. The race started at a very high pace from the first 40 kilometres. The second-category climb made the difference: Victoire broke away in the descent with four other riders just as the overall race leader crashed. At that point, the race was on. Victoire and her group of five kept pushing while the peloton split into two behind them. The teams eventually managed to bring the breakaway back. In the final, the girls gave everything to help Victoire fight for stage results and bonus seconds. She delivered with a third-place finish, which allows her to take the overall leader’s jersey. We’ll be determined to defend it tomorrow and hopefully finish this Tour of Portugal in the best possible way.”
