In a groundbreaking moment for African cycling, Kim Le Court-Pienaar of Mauritius made history on Wednesday by becoming the first African cyclist to win a stage at the prestigious Tour de France Femmes. The 29-year-old sprinted to glory in Stage 5 of the 2025 edition, a feat that not only earned her a monumental victory but also reclaimed the yellow jersey, worn by the overall leader of the race.
The fifth stage, which covered a grueling 166 kilometers, was the longest of this year’s race and culminated in a dramatic royal sprint finish involving several top contenders, including Demi Vollering of the Netherlands and Katarzyna Niewiadoma of Poland. But it was Le Court who surged ahead at the last minute, crossing the finish line first to secure her place in the annals of the sport.
“It’s really been a dream start to the Tour. The stage win, the yellow jersey — I wasn’t even thinking about it when we started in Brittany,” Le Court said after the stage, visibly emotional as she soaked in the historic moment.
From Island Roots to Global Stage
Born and raised in Mauritius, Le Court was introduced to cycling at a young age, inspired by her sports-loving parents and older brother. Her early years on the bike, however, were far from the European circuits that dominate professional cycling. Coming from a small island nation in Africa, the dream of one day competing on cycling’s biggest stage seemed almost impossible.
“I came to Europe in 2015 or 2016, and it was honestly extremely hard for me,” Le Court revealed in an interview with BBC Sport Africa. “My teammates now still laugh about my results back then.”
Without a strong support system or adequate financial backing, her initial foray into European racing was short-lived. Disheartened but not defeated, Le Court returned to Africa, settling in South Africa where she transitioned to mountain biking, a move that reignited her passion and built her resilience.
Her return to road racing was as unlikely as it was triumphant. In 2024, she signed with AG Insurance–Soudal, a Belgian professional women’s team, and began turning heads almost immediately. That year, she also became the first African woman to win a stage at the Giro d’Italia Donne, cycling’s other grand tour for women.
“I’m super hungry for more and for new beginnings,” she stated confidently. “I never really gave up on road racing. The fire inside me just needed a new path.”
Aiming for Overall Victory
With Wednesday’s stage win, Le Court has now emerged as a serious contender for the overall classification in the 2025 Tour de France Femmes. This is her first full Tour aiming not just to finish, but to compete for the overall title.
“As for what happens next, we’ll see,” she said when asked about her chances in the mountain stages. “I still don’t know my limits in the mountains.”
The 2025 Tour de France Femmes is a historic race in many ways. Cyclists will cover a record-breaking 1,165 kilometers over nine stages, with a cumulative elevation gain of 17.2 kilometers. The final overall winner will be crowned on Sunday, and fans across Africa — and beyond — are watching with growing anticipation to see how far Le Court can go.
Shifting the Narrative in African Cycling
Le Court’s achievements have sent a wave of pride across the African continent and are already being hailed as a transformative moment for women’s sports in Africa. Her success is not just personal — it’s emblematic of the potential that lies untapped across many African countries when it comes to cycling and other endurance sports.
For years, African cycling has been dominated by male athletes, particularly from countries like Eritrea, Rwanda, and South Africa. Le Court’s groundbreaking success at the Tour de France Femmes brings much-needed visibility to African women in the sport and could inspire a new generation of female cyclists.
Sports analysts have described her performance as “trailblazing,” noting that she’s helped shatter long-standing stereotypes about what’s possible for athletes from smaller or under-resourced countries.
“She’s a game-changer,” said one Tour commentator. “Le Court is not just winning stages; she’s winning hearts and rewriting what it means to be an African cyclist on the world stage.”
Looking Ahead
As the Tour enters its most challenging phases — with back-to-back mountain stages and technical descents — Le Court’s resilience will undoubtedly be tested. Yet her calm demeanor and steady progress suggest she is not merely a flash in the pan.
Whether or not she wins the yellow jersey outright by Sunday, Le Court has already carved her name in cycling history. And for millions of African sports fans — especially young girls dreaming from the sidelines — she represents something even greater: the power of perseverance, passion, and purpose.
“I don’t come from a country with a cycling culture,” Le Court once remarked. “But I’ve always believed in dreaming big — and working even harder.”
As the cycling world looks on, Kim Le Court-Pienaar’s ride is far from over. In fact, it may just be beginning.
