Kool Tour de France

Dutch rider Charlotte Kool of Team DSM-Firmenich has won the opening stage of the women's Tour de France Femmes, completing a 123-km ride from Rotterdam to The Hague in a time of 2 hours, 47 minutes, and 40 seconds. Kool will don the leader's yellow jersey as she prepares for the second stage, highlighting the significance of her victory amid a challenging season. Anniina Ahtosalo from Finland finished second, while Italy's Elisa Balsamo took third, both sharing the same time as Kool. The stage experienced a mass crash with no severe injuries reported, and thousands of spectators cheered on the racers. Upcoming stages will lead the competition into Belgium and France, culminating in a demanding finish at Alpe-d'Huez. The Tour de France Femmes continues to captivate cycling fans across the globe.