Key climbing domestique for Ferrand-Prévot taken to hospital after crash in Tour de France Femmes

Vos cracked on the final climb. “I tried to keep up for as long as possible, but I just couldn't do it,” she told NOS. “I'm not surprised. I found myself in the second group, which was fine. In terms of goals, not much has changed,” she said, expressing the ambitions of her team and Ferrand-Prévot in particular.

The Frenchwoman was able to hang on and is now second in the GC, 18 seconds behind Le Court. “It was a punchy stage, maybe a little too punchy for me at the moment. But I'm happy I finished up front. Marianne almost made it, too, but in the end, she was just a little too far back.”

“In the descent after the last climb, I braked a little too hard and my wheel slipped away. I missed the corner, but luckily I was able to catch up quickly. In the sprint, I tried to stay on Kimberley's wheel because I knew she had the best sprint. It was quite chaotic, and in the end, I had to settle for fifth place. I can be pleased with that.”

“All in all, it was a good day for us because we didn't lose any time in the GC. That's perfect,” she told Eurosport. “I feel excellent on the climbs, and I'm really looking forward to the mountain stages to come. So far, so good. I'm looking forward to tomorrow, and we're all really motivated to give it our all.”

The team also suffered a setback along the way. Marion Bunel, the team's 20-year-old climbing talent, crashed 67 kilometers from the finish and ended up crossing the line last, more than 21 minutes behind. Bunel was considered a contender for the white jersey and was expected to be one of the last women ahead of Ferrand-Prévot on the climbs in the coming days.

Bunel was taken to the hospital after the stage, where she is undergoing further examination, her team reports. She crossed the finish line with her elbow taped up.