This page contains the stage podium, the race story, GC implications after the stage, and per-rider performance. Read no further if you intend to watch this stage unspoiled.
Ally Wollaston (FDJ United-SUEZ) made it two from two, coming past defending champion Noemi Rüegg in the final metres of the Paracombe climb to win Stage 2 and strengthen her hold on the ochre jersey on a brutally hot, attack-filled day.
The 130.7 km stage from Magill to the uphill finish at Paracombe was raced at a ferocious tempo in extreme heat, with attacks flying from the opening climb. Team Visma | Lease a Bike, UAE Team ADQ and Fenix-Premier Tech all tried to force an early selection, splitting the bunch and leaving several riders chasing through the first hour.
Wilma Aintila (Canyon-SRAM Zondacrypto) got real freedom just under 100 km out, building a lead of almost two minutes before FDJ United-SUEZ took up the chase, Amber Kraak setting a relentless tempo to protect Wollaston's jersey. Aintila was caught after the second intermediate sprint, and the Paracombe circuit then became a constant cycle of attacks, with UAE and Visma the most aggressive while FDJ marked every dangerous move.
Late digs from Chloe Dygert and Josie Talbot briefly opened gaps but none survived the final climb. EF Education-Oatly lined it out for Rüegg, who launched first in the sprint — but Wollaston, coming from slightly deeper, produced another powerful acceleration in the final metres to pass her and seal a second straight win, with Josie Nelson again third.
With the front group given the same time, Wollaston added another set of bonus seconds to keep and strengthen the ochre jersey and the points lead heading into the decisive final stage. Rüegg sat poised right behind, while Paula Blasi moved into the lead of the mountains classification and Justyna Czapla held the best young rider jersey.
Backed by a disciplined FDJ team that chased down the day's big move and shut every late attack, Wollaston produced a second perfectly judged uphill sprint. Rüegg opened first on the Paracombe climb, but Wollaston came from deeper and powered past in the final metres for back-to-back wins and a firmer grip on the overall lead.
EF lined out the finale for Rüegg and she launched the sprint first on the Paracombe climb, but couldn't hold off Wollaston's late surge and settled for second. The defending champion stayed within striking distance on GC, keeping her title defence alive for the Corkscrew showdown to come.