Just weeks before claiming the biggest win of her career on Stage 7 of the Tour de France Femmes, Justine Ghekiere (AG Insurance-Soudal) wasn’t even slated to participate in the race.
However, after being called up as a reserve, Ghekiere seized the opportunity with both hands, delivering a stunning solo victory on the first significant mountain stage—fittingly, while wearing the Queen of the Mountains jersey.
A Dream Realized in Chinaillon: Ghekiere’s Emotive Victory
The Tour de France Femmes is a race of dreams, and for Ghekiere, that dream became a reality on the roads to Chinaillon.
After 4 hours and 26 minutes of grueling racing in the day’s breakaway, Ghekiere crossed the finish line, overwhelmed by emotions. Collapsing to the ground, she was soon enveloped in the embrace of her soigneur, tears of joy flowing freely.
“Winning a stage in this beautiful polka-dot jersey is unbelievable. I wasn’t even supposed to race here, and now, standing on the podium three times is a dream come true. I still can’t believe I did this,” Ghekiere said, her face beaming with a smile that mirrored her triumph.
| Stage Details | Ghekiere’s Performance |
|---|---|
| Distance Covered | 166.4 km |
| Total Race Time | 4 hours, 26 minutes |
| Breakaway Distance | 80+ km |
| Number of Climbs | 5 |
| Time Gap at Finish | 5 minutes |
| Points in QOM Classification | 16 points over 2nd place |
Underdogs Rising: AG Insurance-Soudal’s Incredible Team Performance
AG Insurance-Soudal entered the Tour de France Femmes as underdogs, especially after losing their leader, Ashleigh Moolman-Pasio. Despite this setback, the team defied expectations, competing fiercely against bigger teams like SD Worx-Protime and Canyon-SRAM.
Sarah Gigante, Ghekiere’s teammate, couldn’t contain her excitement: “Justine truly deserves this. She was called up late, but what a day she gave us. Our team may be smaller, but we fought with everything we had.”
| Team Comparison | AG Insurance-Soudal | SD Worx-Protime | Canyon-SRAM |
|---|---|---|---|
| Team Budget | Smaller | Large | Large |
| Key Rider Absent | Yes (Moolman-Pasio) | No | No |
| Stage Wins (So Far) | 1 | Multiple | 1 |
| QOM Points Leader | Yes | No | No |
The Strategic Breakaway: Ghekiere’s Path to Victory
Ghekiere’s win was not just a stroke of luck but the result of strategic planning. With over 80 km to go, Ghekiere and Julie Van de Velde initiated the key move. While the initial goal was to gather points in the Queen of the Mountains classification, Ghekiere’s determination saw her through to the stage win.
Van de Velde’s role was instrumental in extending their lead, earning her praise within the team. “Julie was incredible, helping us gain a significant time gap. It was my job to push on the climbs and secure all the points,” Ghekiere remarked.
| Breakaway Stats | Ghekiere | Van de Velde |
|---|---|---|
| Distance in Breakaway | 80+ km | 80+ km |
| Time Gap Established | 5 minutes | 5 minutes |
| QOM Points Earned | 16 | 14 |
| Contribution to Team | Stage Win & QOM Lead | Stage Support |
Looking Ahead: Ghekiere and Gigante’s Promising Future
With the final queen stage to Alpe d’Huez approaching, Ghekiere’s prospects are bright. Now sitting 10th overall, she’s well-positioned to secure the QOM jersey and a strong GC result. Meanwhile, Gigante, who struggled on the flat stages, is eager to shine in the mountains.
“I’m much happier in the mountains. I don’t feel comfortable in the bunch on flat roads, but I’m ready for tomorrow. It’s going to be an even better day,” Gigante said, brimming with confidence.
| Ghekiere’s Achievements | Gigante’s Perspective |
|---|---|
| Overall Position | 10th |
| Current Jersey | Polka-dot (QOM) |
| Expected Performance | Strong in Mountains |