Team Picnic PostNL return to the Tour de France Femmes with memories still fresh from their explosive 2024 campaign. That edition saw Charlotte Kool take two consecutive stage wins and don the yellow jersey after a dream start. This year, with a versatile mix of sprint firepower, attacking depth and climbing potential, they’re once again targeting stage victories across a varied and demanding parcours.
The 2025 route opens with a punchy uphill finale in Plumelec, quickly followed by another lumpy day on stage 2 before flatter terrain opens up chances for the sprinters. From there, the mountains arrive, including a summit finish atop the Col de la Madeleine on the penultimate day. The final stage’s profile could tempt long-range GC moves if the gaps remain tight.
Charlotte Kool, who has recovered from her Baloise Ladies Tour crash after testing her form in training, returns as the team’s top finisher for the fast stages. With experienced support from Rachele Barbieri and Megan Jastrab, the lead-out has the potential to be among the strongest in the race.
For the hillier and classics-style stages, the team will look to Pfeiffer Georgi and Franziska Koch. Both riders bring a strong combination of tactical awareness and attacking ability, ideal for the mid-race terrain where moves can go from reduced groups. Francesca Barale adds another option for both support and potential breakaway moves.
The mountainous second half of the race provides a chance for 21-year-old Nienke Vinke to test herself at WorldTour level against the best climbers in the world. While not expected to contend for GC, she has shown promising signs of development this season and will be keen to ride aggressively in support or for opportunity if it arises.
“We head to the Tour de France with some incredible memories from last year’s edition,” said Team Picnic PostNL coach Albert Timmer. “This year starts off with a punchy uphill finish, which sets the tone for the race. There are a few sprint opportunities where we will support Charlotte as our fast finisher with a strong and capable lead-out. In the more rolling and classics-style stages we have several riders, such as Pfeiffer and Franziska, who we can be attacking with. Nienke will test herself against the very best in the mountains. With some good teamwork, I am confident we can be proud of our achievements come the end of the race.”
Team Picnic PostNL 2025 Tour de France Femmes line-up
- Francesca Barale
- Rachele Barbieri
- Pfeiffer Georgi
- Megan Jastrab
- Franziska Koch
- Charlotte Kool
- Nienke Vinke
