As Stage 7 of the Tour de France Femmes began, the race was already marked by a wave of withdrawals, thinning the peloton before it even hit the first major climbs of the day.
Ruby Roseman-Gannon of Team Jayco AlUla was notably absent at the start line. After enduring two crashes earlier in the week, Roseman-Gannon was advised by medical staff to sit out the stage. The Australian rider had been struggling with severe abdominal pain, which had made it increasingly difficult for her to compete. Her team confirmed the decision to withdraw her from the race, prioritising her recovery over continuing to push through the pain.
Charlotte Kool, who had dazzled with two stage wins in the Netherlands, also did not start Stage 7. Team dsm-firmenich PostNL announced Kool’s withdrawal, citing exhaustion from her efforts to defend the green jersey. Kool’s strong start to the Tour had taken a significant toll on her, and with the mountains ahead, she chose to step off the bike, ending her 2024 campaign prematurely.
Another absence at the start was Amanda Spratt, who had been bravely riding with a broken hand throughout the race. The Australian, who had fought valiantly up to this point, finally decided to call it a day. Spratt’s determination was evident, but the reality of racing with such an injury proved too much as the Tour moved into its most challenging stages.
Belgian rider Mieke Docx also failed to complete the stage, after a difficult start to the day. The Lotto-Dstny rider had given everything to make the time cut in the previous stage, but her efforts left her depleted. “I didn’t wake up feeling well, so we’ll see how today goes,” she admitted before the start. Unfortunately, after just 5 kilometres, her legs gave out, forcing her to abandon the race.
As the riders set off on the gruelling mountain stage, the peloton was already diminished by these significant withdrawals. Other riders who did not make it to the start or finish of Stage 7 include Antri Christoforou, Sofia Bertizzolo, Lily Williams, Fauve Bastiaenssen, and Anya Louw, who crashed during the early part of the stage. Louw’s team reported that while she is in pain, her overall condition is stable, with further examinations planned.
With the Tour de France Femmes now entering its most punishing phases, the remaining riders are bracing themselves for what lies ahead, knowing that even making it to the start line is an achievement in itself.
List of DNS or early DNF on Stage 7 of the Tour de France Femmes
- Charlotte Kool
- Ruby Roseman-Gannon
- Antri Christoforou
- Sofia Bertizzolo
- Lily Williams
- Fauve Bastiaenssen
- Anya Louw
- Mieke Docx
- Amanda Spratt
