Tour de France Femmes 2025 Stage 4: Saumur to Poitiers — Sprinters’ Day on Historic Ground
After three action-packed days of racing, the Tour de France Femmes 2025 Stage 4 offers a much-needed breather — but only if you’re not chasing green. On Tuesday, July 29, the peloton will trade high-altitude drama for a fast, flat drag race from Saumur to Poitiers.
With barely 700 metres of climbing and just one categorized ascent deep into the stage, the pressure shifts from the climbers to the sprinters and their lead-out trains. It’s a day to sharpen elbows, fight for wheel space, and gun for glory at the finish line made famous in the 2020 men’s Tour.
Will Charlotte Kool double down on her sprinting dominance? Or will another fast finisher seize the rare flat opportunity in this year’s parcours? Either way, Stage 4 promises fireworks at 60 km/h.
Stage 4 Route Map and Profile
Category | Details |
|---|---|
📅 Date | Tuesday, July 29, 2025 |
🚴♀️ Stage Type | Flat |
🗺️ Route | Saumur → Poitiers |
📏 Distance | 130.7 km |
⛰️ Elevation Gain | ~700m |
🧗 Main Climb | Côte de Marigny (0.9 km @ 5.4%) |
🕒 Expected Start Time | 14:35 (CEST) |
🏁 Estimated Finish Time | 17:35 (CEST) |
🔢 Stage Number | 4 of 9 |
📍 Stage 4 Detailed Route Breakdown
The fourth stage of the Tour de France Femmes 2025 is a dream for the peloton’s fastest. Starting from the picturesque wine town of Saumur, the route follows the Loire River valley and its gentle rollers before gradually shifting southeast toward Poitiers, a finish that has proven sprint-friendly in past Grand Tours.
There’s virtually no elevation threat — just one categorized climb, the Côte de Marigny, appearing late in the race at kilometer 101.6. At 0.9km and 5.4%, it’s enough to sting the legs but not break the sprint trains.
As the race approaches Poitiers, the roads flatten decisively. Expect a high-speed, head-down gallop to the line along the D162, identical to the finale where Caleb Ewan triumphed in the 2020 men’s Tour.
🕒 Tour de France Femmes 2025 Stage 4 Schedule & Key Passage Times
📍 Location | Km from Start | Fast (46km/h) | Medium (44km/h) | Slow (42km/h) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Neutral Start – Saumur | 0 km | 14:35 | 14:35 | 14:35 |
Côte de Marigny | 101.6 km | 16:58 | 17:04 | 17:10 |
Sprint – Soudun | 86.7 km | 16:38 | 16:43 | 16:49 |
Finish – Poitiers | 130.7 km | 17:35 | 17:43 | 17:52 |
Caravan rolls out at 12:35 CEST for fans catching the pre-show.
🟢 Intermediate Sprint & Green Jersey Points – Soudun
Located at Soudun, the intermediate sprint on Stage 4 offers valuable points for the sprinters chasing green.
🏁 Points Breakdown – Soudun Sprint
Position | Points |
|---|---|
1st | 25 pts |
2nd | 20 pts |
3rd | 17 pts |
4th–15th | …down to 2 pts |
Expect a full-on lead-out battle here — many sprinters will want to lock in some safety points before the finish.
🟠 King of the Mountains – Côte de Marigny (Cat 4)
Stage 4 includes one KOM opportunity — a brief but punchy 900m climb at 5.4%, just under 30km from the finish.
KOM Points – Côte de Marign
Position | Points |
|---|---|
1st | 2 pts |
2nd | 1 pt |
Not a decisive climb, but ideal for opportunists looking to swipe KOM points without disrupting the sprint flow.
🏁 Sprint Finish in Poitiers — Who’s the Favorite?
All eyes are on the sprinters, and none shine brighter than Charlotte Kool, who dominated sprints in 2024. Others to watch:
- Chiara Consonni (Lidl–Trek)
- Lorena Wiebes (SD Worx–Protime)
- Emma Norsgaard (Movistar)
With this being a near carbon-copy of the 2020 men’s finale, history says a tight bunch sprint is inevitable. Positioning through the final corners into Poitiers will decide everything.
🎯 Stage 4 Bonuses & Jersey Impacts
- Time Bonuses at Finish:
1st – 10″, 2nd – 6″, 3rd – 4″ - Points at Finish for Green Jersey:
1st – 50 pts, 2nd – 30 pts, 3rd – 20 pts, down to 15th place (2 pts)
Stage 4 is pivotal in the battle for the green jersey and could shake up the GC slightly via bonus seconds.
🧭 Towns to Watch Along the Route
The stage offers not just action but stunning towns worth spotlighting:
- Montsoreau: UNESCO World Heritage charm on the Loire
- Chinon: Renaissance fortress vibes
- Richelieu: “Ideal city” with grid-planned streets
- Poitiers: Finish line + collegiate energy + Romanesque architecture
🏁 A Classic Sprinter’s Script
Tour de France Femmes 2025 Stage 4 may be the flattest day of the race, but that only raises the stakes for the pure sprinters. After three days of varying terrain, this is their best — and possibly only — clean shot at victory before the road gets wilder.
Expect high tension, tight timing, and a photo finish in historic Poitiers.
