The second stage of the 2025 Tour de France Femmes takes the riders deeper into Brittany on a short but sharp 110km course from Brest to Quimper. With four categorised climbs and an uphill finish, it’s another day where the yellow jersey could change hands – or be defended with grit.
After a dramatic opener on the Côte de Cadoudal, the stage to Quimper offers a different kind of test. The roads are narrower, the climbs more irregular, and the technical finale will force teams to work hard for positioning. It’s a stage that mirrors a hilly Spring Classic – and that means explosive riders and all-rounders could shine again.
The route – steep ramps and a drag to the line
Starting in Brest, the peloton heads south through inland Brittany, where the terrain rises and falls constantly. The first climb, Menez Quelerc’h (3km at 6.2%), comes just past halfway and will soften the legs before the decisive final hour.
Two more climbs follow in quick succession – the Côte de Locronan (800m at 8.9%) and the first passage of the Côte du Chemin de Troheir (1.1km at 5.7%). But it’s the second time up Troheir, just 4.5km from the line, that may splinter the group. From there, the road drags uphill into Quimper, with a 50m elevation gain in the final kilometre.
This isn’t a summit finish, but it’s not a pure sprint either – and recovery from the penultimate climb will be key. With the GC riders already near the front, this could again come down to a reduced group of punchy sprinters.
What’s on offer
Date: Sunday, 27th July
Distance: 110km
Start/Finish: Brest – Quimper
Climbs:
- Menez Quelerc’h (cat. 3, km 50.7)
- Côte de Locronan (cat. 3, km 68.4)
- Côte du Chemin de Troheir (cat. 4, km 79.9)
- Côte du Chemin de Troheir (cat. 4, km 105.7)
Prediction
The climbs are tougher than they look on paper, but Lorena Wiebes has the power to survive them and still win from a reduced group. The finish suits her far more than stage 1 did, and with the support of SD Worx-Protime, she’s well placed to sprint from a selective front bunch. If the pace is too hot, Kim Le Court and Stage 1 winner Marianne Vos are two riders who could spoil the party.
