Kim Le Court, a 29-year-old cyclist from Mauritius, became the first-ever woman to win a stage in the Tour de France. She is the first African woman to accomplish this amazing feat. The very next day, on July 12, 2023, Le Court took control of the fifth stage of that same prestigious race. On another occasion, she emerged victorious in a breathtaking sprint, underscoring her exceptional skill and grit.
Le Court’s victory was her fifth stage victory, making this her career’s biggest win. This win further established her superiority among the top competitors, and the victory enabled her to take back the leader’s yellow jersey. This feat followed a consistently excellent showing all through the competition, especially on the often difficult courses of Brittany.
Katarzyna Niewiadoma, last year’s Tour de France winner, crossed the line in fourth place in the fifth stage. She followed Le Court closely and was only 24 seconds off the overall lead. Niewiadoma’s strong showing on almost any given day has her in contention, but the competition, especially from Le Court and others, is strong.
Fellow Dutch rider Sanne Vollering now having won the 2023 edition, and a favorite again for this year’s edition. She stands third, only 23 seconds behind Le Court. Proving her own toughness, Vollering returned from a nasty crash earlier in the week herself. This ruling cemented her status as a legitimate contender for the crown.
Marianne Vos, the greatest rider in this race’s storied history, held the overnight lead. She placed eighth in the final stage, rounding the clock 33 seconds off of Le Court’s winning stage time. When the dust settles, this result drastically changes the direction of the race as challengers recalibrate their strategies for the remaining stages.
Commenting on her win, Le Court said she is still “in shock and thrilled” at her victory.
“It’s really been a dream start to the Tour. The stage win, the yellow jersey,” – Kim Le Court
As she casts her eyes towards the future, Le Court is understandably wary about how far she can go in the high mountain stages.
“As for what happens next, we’ll see, since I don’t know my limits in the mountains, this Tour being my first major stage race where my team has asked me to compete for the overall classification.”
Kim’s talent is astounding, that’s what her victory shone. It’s a major achievement that galvanizes all athletes across Africa and motivates young upcoming talents. Her journey reflects the growing representation of African cyclists in international competitions and underscores the importance of diversity in sports.
