Justine Ghekiere capped off a remarkable Tour de France Femmes by securing the polka-dot jersey on the final stage to Alpe d’Huez, solidifying her reputation as one of Belgium’s rising stars. The 28-year-old rider, who was a last-minute addition to AG Insurance-Soudal’s roster, joined an early breakaway as she had done multiple times throughout the race. Her goal was simple: collect enough points on the first climb to virtually guarantee her grip on the jersey.
Reflecting on the final stage, Ghekiere confessed, “I knew I had to go deep one last time, but I could feel the tank was empty. I’m completely shattered.” Despite her exhaustion, she managed to enjoy the moment once her victory was confirmed. “When I heard I had secured the jersey, I really savoured the atmosphere on Alpe d’Huez. I heard my name so many times; it was amazing!”
This triumph is not Ghekiere’s first on the big stage. She previously claimed the mountains jersey in the Giro d’Italia Donne earlier in the season. Yet, for her, winning the polka-dot jersey in the Tour feels like an entirely different achievement. “Standing on the podium in the Giro was special, but to do it now in the Tour, at the highest level, is unbelievable,” she said, struggling to hold back tears.
Ghekiere’s path to the summit of the women’s peloton has been anything but conventional. Just over four years ago, she was balancing jobs as a lifeguard and personal trainer, only discovering her potential as a professional cyclist during the pandemic. Her journey began on Zwift, where she entered a virtual race, won it, and subsequently underwent a fitness test at EnergyLab that launched her into professional cycling.
Team director Jolien D’hoore praised Ghekiere’s calm approach, noting that her late call-up to the Tour actually worked in her favour. “She arrived at the Tour very relaxed, and that might have been her advantage,” D’hoore said. “She had one goal: to go for the polka-dot jersey. We started quietly, but she grew stronger each day. That’s what defines Justine.”
The unexpected opportunity arose when team leader Ashleigh Moolman Pasio hadn’t recovered from a crash in the Tour of Catalunya, forcing AG Insurance-Soudal to turn to Ghekiere. What initially seemed like a gamble proved to be a masterstroke as she not only took home the polka-dot jersey but also won the seventh stage of the race.
Ghekiere’s success also signals a shift in Belgian women’s cycling, often dominated by the achievements of Lotte Kopecky. D’hoore remarked, “There’s more to Belgian women’s cycling than just Lotte Kopecky. What Justine has done in the Tour is phenomenal, and I hope people recognise that.”
For Ghekiere, the conclusion of the Tour marks not only a career highlight but also a moment to finally rest. “At the finish, I thought, ‘Now I want to go a week without cycling,’” she admitted with a smile. However, her achievements in this Tour have certainly set the stage for what could be an even brighter future in both stage races and classics.
As a final reward, Ghekiere will take home a bike with a polka-dot design, a gift from her team that serves as a fitting memento of her unforgettable week in France.
Main photo credit: ASO-Thomas Maheux
