The race heated up early on the stage. Five kilometres from the top of the first climb, world champion Annemiek van Vleuten attacked, causing the peloton to split. Demi Vollering hit a double on the flanks of the Tourmalet. Markus fought her way to the line in the third group of the race. The reigning Dutch time trial champion refused to surrender.

"This was a particularly tough day”, Markus admitted. "The team did a great job dropping me off at the bottom of the first climb. From there, I had to follow. Annemiek and Demi attacked and broke up the group. Unfortunately, I had to drop out of the lead group there. After that, it was every woman for herself. It was tough, but I gave it my all. Maybe we can do something nice in the final time trial tomorrow.”

Marianne Vos dropped out of the race halfway through the stage. The 36-year-old rider said she was not feeling 100 percent. She will now concentrate on recovering to be well-prepared for the start of the World Cup.