‘I wasn’t supposed to race here’ – Called up as a reserve, Ghekiere’s ‘dream’ Tour de France Femmes day almost didn’t happen

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.