Bretagne Ladies Tour: Speedskater Sandrine Tas takes first pro cycling victory on stage 1

Sandrine Tas, an Olympic speed skater turned professional cyclist, claimed her maiden pro road victory on the opening stage of the Bretagne Ladies Tour. Representing Lotto Intermarché Ladies, the Belgian rider showcased her sprinting prowess to win the 120km stage from Ploemeur to Plouay. The race concluded with a group sprint, where Tas edged out former world champion Amalie Dideriksen of Cofidis, with Hélène Hesters from Liv AlUla Jayco Women's Continental Team finishing third. The first stage featured a challenging course with multiple laps including the demanding Côte de Lezot climb, reminiscent of the GP de Plouay circuit. The peloton was largely composed of ProTeams, Continental teams, and regional French squads, with only two WorldTour teams present. A breakaway by Hélène Clauzel and Heïdi Gaugain animated much of the day but was eventually caught, setting the stage for a tactical finale among a reduced group of about 40 riders. Tas’s victory is particularly notable given her recent transition from speed skating, having competed at the Winter Olympics in Italy just months earlier. Although she has been racing bikes for several years, 2025 marks her first season with a ProTeam, making this win a significant milestone in her burgeoning cycling career. Following this success, Tas will don the leader’s fuchsia jersey as the race moves into stage two, an individual time trial around Plomodiern, where she holds a narrow four-second lead over Dideriksen. The Bretagne Ladies Tour continues to highlight emerging talent and the dynamic nature of women’s cycling, with Tas’s breakthrough underscoring the increasing crossover between different sports disciplines. Her victory not only boosts her profile but also adds intrigue to the race’s unfolding narrative, as riders prepare for the decisive time trial and subsequent stages. The event remains a key fixture in the women’s racing calendar, blending challenging terrain with competitive fields.