The fifth edition of women’s version of the Tour de France featured 147 riders from 21 teams racing 1,175km, broken into three flat stages, three hilly stages, an individual time trial stage and two mountain stages which included a first visit to Mont Ventoux. Here are some of our favourite images from nine exhilarating stages

The peloton whizzes down the Col de la Savine during the third stage. Photograph: Nicolas Tucat/AFP/Getty ImagesStage one, Lausanne to Lausanne Young cyclists participate in a children’s race before the start of the first stage, a 137km loop around Lausanne.Photograph: Jean-Christophe Bott/EPASandrine Tas of Lotto-Intermarché kisses a dog before the start of the first stage.Photograph: Jean-Christophe Bott/EPAAmanda Spratt of Lidl-Trek, Maud Rijnbeek of VolkerWessels Cycling and Idoia Eraso Lasa of Laboral Kutxa–Fundación Euskadi descend in the breakaway.Photograph: Alex Broadway/Getty ImagesStage two, Aigle to Geneva A rider puts on a cooling vest ahead of the start of the stage.Photograph: Thomas Maheux/SWpix.com/ShutterstockA sign reading ‘to all those who fight wildfires, strength and courage’ as firefighters watch the second stage.Photograph: Nicolas Tucat/AFP/Getty ImagesThe peloton traverses a bridge during the second stage.Photograph: Tim de Waele/Getty ImagesStage three, Geneva to Poligny A spectator takes a picture of the peloton descending the Col de la Savine.Photograph: Nicolas Tucat/AFP/Getty ImagesUno-X Mobility’s Sigrid Ytterhus Haugset leads the field in Arbois.Photograph: Nicolas Tucat/AFP/Getty ImagesUno-X Mobility teammates and Norwegian compatriots Katrine Aalerud (left) and Sigrid Ytterhus Haugset, the stage winner, celebrate after their 156.5km ride.Photograph: Alex Broadway/Getty ImagesStage four, 21km individual time trial, Gevrey-Chambertin to Dijon Marie Le Net of FDJ United-Suez competes close to a vineyard.Photograph: Tim de Waele/Getty ImagesAlice Towers of EF Education-Oatly races through the streets.Photograph: Tim de Waele/Getty ImagesThe Cofidis rider Ema Comte.Photograph: Tim de Waele/Getty ImagesStage five, Macon to Belleville-en-Beaujolais A rather apt tattoo on a member of the Human Powered Health team. Photograph: Tim de Waele/Getty ImagesThe breakaway rides through the French countryside beneath a glaring sun on the 140km fifth stage.Photograph: Nicolas Tucat/AFP/Getty ImagesStage six, Montbrison to Tournon-sur-Rhône Canyon/SRAM Racing’s Maria Rosa Klöser signs autographs for fans ahead of the start of the stage.Photograph: Tim de Waele/Getty ImagesThe peloton descends during the 153.4km stage. Photograph: Alex Broadway/Getty ImagesLoes Adegeest of Lidl-Trek and Katrine Aalerud of Uno-X Mobility take part in the breakaway.Photograph: Tim de Waele/Getty ImagesStage seven, Voulte-sur-Rhône to Mont Ventoux The peloton ascends the Col du Colombie during the 146.8km stage.Photograph: Nicolas Tucat/AFP/Getty ImagesSpectators cheer the chasing pair of Demi Vollering of FDJ United-Suez (left) and the yellow jersey holder, Marlen Reusser of Movistar, in the climb up Mont Ventoux.Photograph: Alex Broadway/Getty ImagesThe Canyon/SRAM rider Katarzyna Niewiadoma is spent after crossing the finish line to win on Mont Ventoux.Photograph: Nicolas Tucat/AFP/Getty ImagesAG Insurance–Soudal’s Kim Le Court Pienaar crosses the finish line on Mont Ventoux.Photograph: Manon Cruz/ReutersStage eight, Sisteron to Nice The peloton rides past the Rocher de la Baume at the start of the 171.9km stage.Photograph: Tim de Waele/Getty ImagesA spectator applauds a rider as the field passes through Barrême.Photograph: Nicolas Tucat/AFP/Getty ImagesThe riders cross a very low River Var.Photograph: Nicolas Tucat/AFP/Getty ImagesThe FDJ United-Suez riders Franziska Koch (left), Amber Kraak (second left), Évita Muzic (second right) and Marie Le Net look on proudly as their teammate Demi Vollering stands on the podium after her stage win, also landing the yellow jersey.Photograph: Tim de Waele/Getty ImagesStage nine, Nice to Nice The riders and spectators are treated to a flypast by Patrouille de France ahead of the start of the stage.Photograph: Tim de Waele/Getty ImagesThe yellow jersey holder, Demi Vollering, looks like she means business.Photograph: Manon Cruz/ReutersThe riders hare around the streets of Nice during the 99.2km stage.Photograph: Tim de Waele/Getty ImagesAfter pulling away from her main rival Katarzyna Niewiadoma on the final climb 16km from home, the yellow jersey holder, Demi Vollering, powered her way to the finish line to win the stage and claim her second Tour de France Femmes title.Photograph: Tim de Waele/Getty ImagesTo the victor, the spoils – which includes being hoisted in the air by your teammates. Click here to see all of our 2026 Tour de France Femmes content.Photograph: Tim de Waele/Getty Images