CIC Tour Féminin des Pyrénées 2026 Stage 2 Preview: Queen Stage on Col du Tourmalet Decides GC

The CIC Tour Féminin des Pyrénées 2026 Stage 2 puts the race on a knife edge. After a bunch sprint decided Stage 1, the peloton faces the queen stage today — a 94.9 km test from Arrens-Marsous to Bagnères-de-Bigorre that climbs the iconic Col du Tourmalet.

This is where the general classification gets ripped apart. Small time gaps from yesterday mean one strong move on the mountain could hand someone the race lead with only Sunday left.

Stage 2 starts at 11:15 CEST (2:45 PM IST). Expect the finish in Bagnères-de-Bigorre between 14:00-15:00 CEST depending on how hard the climb is raced.

Route and Profile: The Tourmalet Queen Stage

The stage looks short on paper but packs serious climbing — around 2,007 vertical meters. After rolling terrain early, the race hits the Col du Tourmalet, one of cycling’s most famous ascents.

The climb rises roughly 17-19 km at an average gradient of 7.4-7.7%, with sections pushing over 10-11%. The summit sits at 2,115 m. After the top, a fast descent leads into the finish in Bagnères-de-Bigorre.

This is not a stage for survival. It rewards climbers who can position perfectly before the lower slopes, then launch or follow attacks on the upper ramps where the air gets thin and legs start screaming.

Local fans line the roads through the valleys and switchbacks. Cowbells, Basque flags, and French tricolors create an atmosphere that feels bigger than a 2.Pro race. The Pyrenees know how to host a mountain day.

Current GC Outlook After Stage 1

Martina Alzini (Cofidis Women Team) won Stage 1 in a bunch sprint ahead of Federica Venturelli and Marie Le Net. Because it finished together, most overall contenders sit on the same time or within a handful of seconds.

The yellow (or race leader) jersey will almost certainly change hands today. Teams with multiple options — especially UAE Team ADQ — hold the tactical edge.

Key Contenders and Rider Battles

Paula Blasi (UAE Team ADQ) stands out as the strongest all-round favorite. Her Vuelta Femenina win earlier this season proved she can handle pressure and climb with the best. UAE’s depth (Dominika Wlodarczyk, Federica Venturelli and others) lets them control the pace or launch multiple moves.

Usoa Ostolaza (Laboral Kutxa-Fundación Euskadi) owns the best record in this race — multiple overall wins and podiums across previous editions. She knows these roads and thrives when the race turns tactical in the high mountains. Her team will fight hard to put her in the right position.

Juliette Berthet (FDJ United-SUEZ) brings consistent climbing form and a strong supporting cast including Marie Le Net and Sofia Bertizzolo.

Other names to watch: Julie Bego (Cofidis), who impressed last year, and aggressive riders like Eglantine Rayer or Victoire Berteau who could spark late attacks on the descent or final kilometers.

The main battle on the road will be positioning into the Tourmalet and then the raw power struggle once the gradient kicks up properly. Expect UAE and Laboral Kutxa to do most of the early damage.

Weather and Conditions

June in the Pyrenees usually brings mild valley temperatures and cooler air on the summit. Wind can swirl on the exposed upper slopes of the Tourmalet, and brief showers remain possible. The key will be how the peloton handles any crosswinds on the approach and whether rain makes the descent slippery.

Live Streaming and Telecast

Prime Video carries coverage in several markets. French broadcasters and cycling platforms often stream the full stage. Check local listings for TNT Sports or equivalent feeds. Radio Tour and official race updates provide real-time gaps once the climb begins.

Stage 2 Prediction and GC Impact

This is Paula Blasi’s stage to lose. She has the form, the team, and the climbing pedigree to distance rivals on the Tourmalet and take the race lead. Usoa Ostolaza will push hard and could steal the win if Blasi has an off day or gets isolated.

A breakaway win feels unlikely — the favorites will keep it controlled until the big climb. Expect the top GC riders to finish within a small group or with decisive gaps opening on the upper slopes.

Predicted top 3 on the stage: 1. Paula Blasi, 2. Usoa Ostolaza, 3. Juliette Berthet (or a strong UAE/domestique surprise).

Whoever emerges in yellow tonight will head into the final stage with a real advantage. Stage 3 offers one last chance for attackers, but today’s queen stage should settle the overall battle.

The mountains do not lie. Today in the Pyrenees, the strongest climbers will write the next chapter of the 2026 CIC Tour Féminin des Pyrénées.