Harshita Jakhar Scripts History as First Indian Woman at Tour de France Femmes 2026

Harshita Jakhar, a 19-year-old cyclist from Rajasthan, became the first Indian woman to feature at the Tour de France Femmes after leading a group of riders during the ceremonial start of Stage 2 in Aigle, Switzerland, on Sunday. She was among eight cyclists selected for the UCI World Cycling Talent Programme, which gives riders from developing cycling nations exposure to elite racing environments.

19-year-old cyclist Harshita Became the First Indian Woman to feature at the Tour de France Femmes

Harshita led the group, which included riders from Afghanistan, Algeria, Chile, Ethiopia, Namibia and Uganda, through a 4.5km neutralised ride ahead of the professional peloton before Stage 2. UCI president David Lappartient welcomed her participation, saying, "We are excited to have India's very talented Harshita Jakhar in our prestigious UCI World Cycling Talent Programme. 

What is the Tour de France Femmes 2026?

1. The Tour de France Femmes is an annual women's road cycling stage race and part of the UCI Women's World Tour, ranking among the biggest events on the women's cycling calendar. 
2. The fifth edition of the race runs from 1 to 9 August 2026, spanning 9 stages and 1,175 km. 
3. It began with a Swiss Grand Départ in Lausanne, with the first three stages held in Switzerland, and features a landmark, first-ever ascent of Mont Ventoux as the queen stage on Stage 7, before concluding in Nice on 9 August. 
4. The route comprises 3 flat stages, 3 hilly stages, 2 mountain stages, and 1 individual time trial.

About Harshita Jakhar

Harshita trains at the Sports Authority of India's National Centre of Excellence in Patiala under her father and coach, former cyclist Rakesh Jakhar, who competed at the 2010 Commonwealth Games in New Delhi and is a qualified coach from NIS Patiala. Hailing from Rajasthan, she has dominated the junior national circuit and performs consistently well in the seniors category too. A Target Asian Games Group athlete, she won three gold medals at the 2025 Khelo India Youth Games and claimed a silver and two bronze medals at the 2024 Asian Junior Cycling Championships. Her goals include a Top 10 finish at the 2026 Asian Games and a medal at the 2030 Asian Games.