Dutch cycling icon Marianne Vos kicked off the 2024 Tour de France Femmes in spectacular fashion, clinching victory in the first stage with a powerful sprint finish. The 36-year-old Jumbo-Visma rider outpaced her competitors in a nail-biting finale, proving once again why she remains one of the sport's most formidable athletes.
A Masterclass in Sprinting
Vos, a three-time world champion and Olympic gold medallist, demonstrated her trademark tactical brilliance in the closing kilometres of the 124km stage from Clermont-Ferrand to Moulins. Despite fierce competition from younger rivals, the veteran cyclist timed her sprint to perfection, crossing the line ahead of Australia's Ruby Roseman-Gannon and Belgium's Lotte Kopecky.
Emotional Victory for Vos
"Winning the first stage of the Tour de France Femmes is always special," an emotional Vos said after the race. "The team worked perfectly today, and I'm just so happy to reward them with this victory." The win marks Vos's third stage victory in the event's history, adding to her impressive palmarès.
Tour de France Femmes 2024 Off to Exciting Start
The opening stage set the tone for what promises to be an exhilarating week of racing. With challenging terrain ahead and several strong contenders in the peloton, the battle for the yellow jersey remains wide open. Vos's victory puts her in pole position, but with seven stages remaining, the competition is far from over.
