Mavi Garca, a Mallorcan veteran cyclist, has won the 2nd stage of Tour de France in 2025.

The Spanish generational shift in women’s cycling is imminent, but the dominant figures of recent decades aren’t ready to leave just yet, as 41-year-old Mavi García of Mallorca demonstrated by winning the second stage of the 2025 Tour de France Femmes.

Garcia attacked with 11 km to go. The veteran cyclist climbed the last climb of the day on her own and completed the final 4.5 km in a solo breakaway to the finish in Quimper in northern France. She pedaled as if she were doing a time-trial, and had a lead of less than 10 seconds.

The Mallorcan cyclist took advantage of the lack of organisation in the peloton to launch an attack, despite general classification favorites pushing behind her. She arrived just in time. The Jayco rider who crashed in the first stage showed resilience and concentration on a course with four climbs on 110km.

It gives me life. I’ve done this for a long time; it was about time to retire. He said, “I didn’t have a great time this year. It had been challenging. This gives me an enormous boost of energy.”

The Mallorcan Spaniard, with this win, surpassed Annemiek van Vleuten to become the oldest winner of the Tour. Kim Le Court replaced Marianne Vos in the overall rankings as a result of the bonuses.

The peloton, led by Dutch sprinter Lorena Wiebes (SD Worx), finished behind, although García had enough time to savour her success after many years of racing in which women had few opportunities to pursue this sport.

Kimberley le Court, a Mauritian from the AG Insurance Team, is the new leader for the Tour de France 2025. She finished third in Sunday’s stage and, thanks to bonuses, tied with Marianne Vos, a Dutchwoman (Visma), the winner the day before.