Favorites stage 9 Tour de France Femmes 2025 | Brutal finale in the Alps

On Saturday, Pauline Ferrand-Prévot took a major step toward overall victory in the Tour de France Femmes. But it’s not over yet, because Sunday brings one final, punishing Alpine stage. IDLProcycling.com tells you everything you need to know!

The stage begins in Praz-sur-Arly, a small village near the Alpine resort of Megève. At the foot of Mont Blanc, the riders will head north. The opening kilometers won’t be the toughest, but after a descent into Sallanches, the first climb arrives quickly.

The Côte d'Arâches-la-Frasse is a Category 1 climb, though not too long or steep (6.2 km at 7.1%). The descent isn’t very technical, and about 20 kilometers later, there’s an intermediate sprint in Morillon. But from Samoëns onward, the real fireworks begin, with the Col de Joux Plane looming.

And that climb is a real killer. It’s shorter than Saturday’s Col de la Madeleine (11.6 km), but steeper, averaging 8.5%. It’s a hors catégorie climb, and the descent into the ski town of Morzine is no joke either, featuring several sharp hairpins and tricky switchbacks. From the summit of the Joux Plane, riders still face 58 kilometers before the finish.

From Morzine, the route descends slightly before a fast run-in to the Col du Corbier, the final climb of the day. This is another Category 1 ascent, and it's a steep one, 5.9 km at an average of 8.5%. After that, around 29 kilometers remain to the finish line in Châtel – Les Portes du Soleil. The road gradually rises, with a slightly steeper incline in the final stretch. That’s going to hurt after such a tough day!  

Climbs
33.9km: Côte d'Ar^ches-la-Frasse (6.2 km at 7.1%)
66.6km: Col de Joux Plane (11.6 km at 8.5%)

Times
Start: 3:25 PM (local time) | 9:25 AM (ET)
Finish: 7:00 PM (local time) | 1:00 PM (ET)

While Saturday’s weather was far from ideal, Sunday is shaping up to be a beautiful day. 24°C at the start, dry, and no wind. Conditions at the finish will also be lovely, albeit a little cooler.

Saturday made the hierarchy clear in this edition of the Tour de France Femmes: Pauline Ferrand-Prévot (Visma | Lease a Bike) is the strongest climber. But can she prove that once more on Sunday? For the French rider, the main objective will be defending the yellow jersey and checking off her ultimate goal.

The battle for the podium, however, is still wide open. Sarah Gigante (AG Insurance–Soudal Quick-Step) is currently second overall, but may be at a disadvantage on Sunday’s technical descents. That could open the door for fourth-placed Kasia Niewiadoma (Canyon//SRAM), and possibly even Demi Vollering (FDJ–Suez), to make gains.

When you think of descents, you also think of Cedrine Kerbaol from EF-Oatly. But she can climb with the best of them too, as proven by her fifth place in the general classification. Could she be the one to deliver a fourth consecutive stage win for France?

With this many altitude meters, the strongest riders naturally rise to the top. Maeva Squiban and Dominika Wlodarczyk (UAE Team ADQ) have been riding well all week, while Niamh Fisher-Black (Lidl–Trek) impressed with a strong third place on Saturday.

Yara Kastelijn and Pauliena Rooijakkers (Fenix–Deceuninck) also climbed well, and for riders like Anna van der Breggen (SD Worx–Protime), Kimberly Le Court, and Justine Ghekiere (AG Insurance–Soudal Quick-Step), who have slipped a bit in the GC, there may be opportunities to go for a stage win from a breakaway.

Top favorites:Pauline Ferrand-Prévot (Visma | Lease a Bike) and Demi Vollering (FDJ-Suez)
Outsiders: Sarah Gigante, Kimberly le Court (AG Insurance Soudal Quick-Step), Kasia Niewiadoma (Canyon//SRAM) and Cedrine Kerbaol (EF-Oatly)
Long shots: Maeva Squiban, Dominika Wlodarczyck (UAE Team ADQ), Niamh Fisher-Black (Lidl-Trek), Yara Kastelijn, Pauliena Rooijakkers (Fenix-Deceuninck), Juliette Labous (FDJ-Suez), Anna van der Breggen (SD Worx-Protime) and Justine Ghekiere (AG Insurance Soudal Quick-Step)