Cycling: Mauritius’ Le Court makes history with Tour de France Femmes stage win

Mauritian cyclist Kim Le Court on Wednesday etched her name in the history books after becoming the first African to win a stage at the Tour de France Femmes, Afrosport reports.

The 29-year-old claimed victory on stage five, seizing the yellow jersey from Dutchwoman Marianne Vos in the process to sit atop the general classification standings.

Le Court was part of a seven-rider breakaway group that pulled clear of the peloton during the latter stages of the gruelling 165.8km route—the longest stage of this year’s edition of the race.

Demonstrating her sprinting prowess, she emerged as the fastest finisher and delivered a historic win in 3:54:07. Despite narrowly holding off a fast-finishing Demi Vollering of the Netherlands by a wheel’s length, she had time for a stylish finish as she sat up to celebrate while crossing the finish line in Gueret.

The Mauritian now leads France’s Pauline Ferrand-Prevot by 18 seconds in the general classification, while Vos, who was in the lead after four stages, slips to sixth overall after finishing 33 seconds behind the lead group.

Four more stages are left and Thursday’s route will see riders take on the Tour’s first mountain challenge—a demanding 123.7km ride from Clermont-Ferrand to Ambert.

General classification after stage five