Marlen Reusser Takes Tour de France Femmes Lead With Time Trial Win

Switzerland's Marlen Reusser claimed the first yellow jersey of her career after winning the fourth stage of the Tour de France Femmes, a 21km individual time trial from Gevrey-Chambertin to Dijon. The reigning time trial world champion completed the course in 27 minutes and 30 seconds, edging Netherlands rider Lieke Nooijen's target by four seconds to seize the overall lead.

Reusser now holds a 14-second advantage over Demi Vollering, who finished third on the stage, with France's Cedrine Kerbaol third overall. Previous leader Sigrid Haugset of Norway, who had produced a stunning solo breakaway the day before, faded badly in the heat and dropped to fourth overall after finishing three minutes behind Reusser. Defending champion Pauline Ferrand-Prevot also struggled in temperatures over 30 degrees Celsius, losing more than two minutes to the new leader.

Speaking after the stage, Reusser said the win had been a season-long target for her and her team, calling it "my goal of the year" as she described the squad's build-up to the race, nicknamed "Project Dijon" after the city's famous mustard and the race leader's yellow jersey.

British 21-year-old Zoe Backstedt impressed on her Tour debut, finishing fourth in the discipline just 20 seconds off the pace, underlining the strength in depth this year's women's peloton has to offer as the race heads into its next phase.

With Reusser now the rider to catch heading into the mountains, Playdash's Tour de France Femmes outright and stage-winner markets are shaping up to be one of the most closely watched cycling betting props of the summer.