New Zealand cyclist Niamh Fisher-Black has equalled the best-ever result by a Kiwi in a major cycling Grand Tour, finishing fifth overall in the Tour de France Femmes.
The 24-year-old from Nelson impressed on the final and toughest stage of the race, moving up from eighth to fifth place during a day of steep mountain climbs. She crossed the finish line six and a half minutes behind the winner in the general classification.
This is Fisher-Black’s best finish in the Tour de France Femmes, after placing 14th last year. She also came fifth in the 2022 Giro d’Italia Donne, making this another top performance on the world stage.
The race was won by Pauline Ferrand-Prevot of France, who became the first Frenchwoman to win the Tour. She made a powerful breakaway in the last seven kilometres of the 124-kilometre stage to secure victory, beating 2023 champion Demi Vollering from the Netherlands.
Ferrand-Prevot, also an Olympic gold medallist in mountain biking, had taken the yellow jersey the day before from Mauritius rider Kimberley Le Court.
Fisher-Black rides for Lidl-Trek and was part of the lead group in the final stretch of the race. Another New Zealander, Ella Wyllie, also performed strongly, finishing 12th overall.
This matches the best Grand Tour finish by a New Zealander, tied with George Bennett’s eighth place in the 2018 Giro d’Italia.
