France, Aug. 1 -- "Starting the Tour de France as the defending champion is something very special and something I'm incredibly proud of," said the Team Visma-Lease a Bike cyclist.

"At the same time, last year's victory doesn't guarantee anything this time around. Everyone starts from scratch again."

The 147 riders in the 21 teams will begin the race with a 137km burst around the Swiss city of Lausanne.

On Sunday, they travel 149km between Aigle and Geneva and cross over into France on the third day during a 167km-ride between Geneva and Poligny. Surge to 2025 glory

Ferrand-Prevot's surge to glory came during the penultimate stage of the 2025 women's Tour de France in which she seized the overall lead following a sensational course be...