Sigrid Haugset wins Stage 3 of Tour de France Femmes

Norwegian rider Sigrid Haugset delivered a stunning and historic victory on stage three of the Tour de France Femmes on Monday, August 3, winning with a monumental solo breakaway and seizing the overall race lead. The 27-year-old from UnoX Mobility attacked with approximately 88 kilometers remaining on the 157-kilometer stage from Geneva to Poligny and held off a fierce solo chase from world champion Lotte Kopecky to claim the win by one minute and 24 seconds.

Haugset’s effort is believed to be the longest solo victory in the history of the women’s Tour de France. She initially helped form an 11-rider breakaway after a demanding start over the Category 1 Col de la Faucille, which saw sprint favorites like former race leader Lorena Wiebes dropped early. Haugset then launched her decisive move alone, building a substantial advantage as the main peloton, wilting in 37-degree Celsius heat, failed to organize an effective chase.

Behind her, Kopecky of Team SD Worx-Protime embarked on her own solo pursuit, leaving the peloton with about 75 kilometers to go. The Belgian champion gradually closed the gap, getting to within 10 seconds of Haugset inside the final 10 kilometers, but she...