The release of the 2025 Tour de France Femmes route has sparked fresh speculation around Lotte Kopecky’s potential to clinch the overall title. After her second-place finish in 2023, many wonder if the Belgian is poised to take the top step next year, especially with a demanding route on offer. Yet, her ultimate plans remain undecided, with her team, SD Worx-Protime, carefully assessing whether a General Classification (GC) focus aligns with the new Tour layout.
Kopecky, currently on holiday in South Africa, missed the route unveiling in Paris, but SD Worx-Protime team manager Danny Stam analysed the course with her in mind. “The Tour will be tough to control with the addition of two more days, which opens up more possibilities,” Stam told Het Laatste Nieuws. “There’s a bit of everything – short, steep climbs in the beginning, and the sting is definitely in the tail.” He particularly noted the final Alpine stages, which will include arduous climbs to Chambéry, Col de la Madeleine, and Châtel. “Only the Saturday finish at Col de la Madeleine is really extreme,” Stam added, “but the other two mountain stages are also tough, and Lotte has shown she can handle high-altitude challenges.”
Reflecting on Kopecky’s prospects, Stam admitted they’ve already started discussing the option of targeting the GC, but no decisions will be made until her holiday concludes. “We’ll review if it’s worth aiming for a top spot,” he said, adding that committing to the GC would require a shift in her season plans, possibly delaying her start at the UAE Tour. “The first half of the Tour route is more suited to Lotte, while the second half gets tougher… I imagine Demi Vollering is pleased with the layout, but it’s essential to recognise the intense competition she’ll face,” Stam commented, hinting at the depth of the field Kopecky will need to contend with.
Justine Ghekiere, from AG Insurance-Soudal, shares the view that Kopecky has the potential to take the Tour’s top honours. “Lotte has the ability to win the Tour,” Ghekiere said after reviewing the course. Ghekiere, who had a standout Tour in 2024, winning a mountain stage and the polka dot jersey, believes Kopecky is equipped for the challenge. “If Lotte goes all-in, she can take it next year,” she insisted, although Ghekiere herself has ruled out a personal GC bid in favour of stage wins. She added, “The Madeleine will be a real battleground.”
Tour director Marion Rousse has drawn attention to the 2025 route’s unique difficulties, which involve more than 17,000 metres of climbing across its extended layout. “The Tour de France Femmes is tougher than previous years,” Rousse remarked, “and the difficulty starts building from Thursday in the mid-mountains, culminating in the queen stage over the Madeleine. Riders will also face the Joux Plane on the final day.”
While the route begins with two punchy stages well-suited to Kopecky, which could grant her valuable bonus seconds early on, the question is whether she can sustain her form through the high-altitude demands of the latter stages. Rousse highlighted Kopecky’s ability to make an impact, particularly in the more moderate climbing sections: “You don’t want to give Lotte too much room,” she warned. “She can handle the middle mountains and has already shown her strength on significant climbs like the Tourmalet.”
Analyst Ine Beyen also pointed to the heightened competition Kopecky faces. “After last year’s podium finish, it’s tempting to assume Kopecky will be in the mix for the top honours, but it’s not that straightforward. The race dynamics are different now, with more balanced teams and Vollering riding for another outfit.”
With a route that’s challenging from start to finish and Kopecky’s recent form and climbing ability, many believe she stands a genuine chance. Yet, the decision to go all-in for yellow will come down to careful planning by SD Worx-Protime as they evaluate the route’s demands and the risks and rewards of delaying other season objectives.
