Just weeks before netting the biggest win of her career on stage 7 , Justine Ghekiere (AG Insurance-Soudal) wasn’t even meant to be at the Tour de France Femmes . But after being called up as a reserve, she grabbed the opportunity with both hands in stunning solo fashion no less, on the first real mountain day and, fittingly, as the current Queen of the Mountains. The emotions burst out at the finish line for Ghekiere in Chinaillon after what was previously a dream materialised into reality after four hours and 26 minutes of all-out racing in the day’s breakaway, Ghekiere falling to the ground and the tears flooding out as she embraced her soigneur.
Just a few hundred metres away from Ghekiere’s triumphant ride coming to a close, the emotions at the AG-Insurance Soudal bus rang true all the same - hugs all around and cheers bellowing out. It was a win at the Tour de France Femmes, a win in one of the Tour’s most iconic symbols - the maillot à pois and a win for the underdogs. “Winning a stage in this beautiful polka jersey is really amazing and It’s just a dream.
First I wasn’t supposed to race here this week and now three times on the podium is really amazing and I cannot believe it. I cannot believe I did this,” said Ghekiere in her post-race press conference with a huge smile pinned ear to ear across her face. “When I went in the last kilometre, then I was thinking maybe I can win this stage, I just went full and gave everything I had left because I was.