Crossing the finish line of L’Étape du Tour de France after 7 hours and 33 minutes in the saddle was definitely a moment I’ll never forget. This legendary event, where amateur cyclists get the rare chance to ride a full mountain stage (Albertville to La Plagne - 130km/4.500d+) of the Tour de France under race-day conditions, was as tough as it was exhilarating. After intense preparation I felt ready for this challenge and my partner Škoda sent me off to France.
Surrounded by thousands of riders from all over the world, it was a powerful reminder of how sport brings people together. As a woman in the race, I felt both the thrill of competition and the quiet strength of representing a growing community of female cyclists in events like this. Especially when seeing young girls along the course I remembered how important representation in such male-dominated events is.
From steep ascents to winding descents, each kilometer was a celebration and the crowd along the route was really supportive (I heard "Allez le fille" and "madame, courage!" continuously and it was such a huge motivation especially towards the end). I’m proud not just of my time, but of the journey to get there: months of training, early mornings, sore legs, and the decision to just keep going.
Riding L’Étape wasn’t just about finishing for me. It was about proving to myself what I'm capable of if I keep learning and growing. I couldn't be more grateful about this whole experience and obviously about such a strong partner like Škoda by my side. <3