Harshita Jakhar Makes History as First Indian Woman in Tour de France Femmes 2026

Harshita Jakhar has made history as the first Indian woman to participate in the Tour de France Femmes 2026. At just 19 years old, she led a group of cyclists during the ceremonial start of Stage Two in Aigle, Switzerland. Selected for the UCI World Cycling Talent Programme, Harshita trains at the National Centre of Excellence in Patiala under her father's guidance. With impressive achievements in national competitions, including multiple medals at the Khelo India Youth Games and Asian Junior Cycling Championships, her participation marks a significant milestone for Indian cycling. Read on to learn more about her journey and future aspirations.

By Narendra Chaudhary Aug 3, 2026, 23:51 IST

Historic Achievement for Indian Cyclist

Aigle, Switzerland - On August 3, cyclist Harshita Jakhar etched her name in history by becoming the first Indian woman to participate in the Tour de France Femmes 2026. She led a group of cyclists during the ceremonial start of Stage Two in Aigle on Sunday.

According to reports from Olympics.com, the 19-year-old athlete from Rajasthan was among eight cyclists chosen for the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) World Cycling Talent Programme. This initiative aims to provide exposure to elite cycling events for athletes from developing nations.

The group included cyclists from various countries such as Afghanistan, Algeria, Chile, Ethiopia, Namibia, and Uganda, who completed a neutralized 4.5 km ride prior to the professional peloton's race.

The Tour de France is a prestigious annual women's road cycling stage race, recognized as one of the longest and most significant events on the UCI Women’s World Tour calendar. It commenced on August 1 in Lausanne and will conclude on August 9 in Nice.

UCI president David Lappartient expressed enthusiasm for Harshita's participation, expressing hope that she would return to compete in the Tour de France Femmes in the future. He stated, “We are thrilled to have the talented Harshita Jakhar in our esteemed UCI World Cycling Talent Programme. I am confident she will enjoy her experience and will soon return to compete in the actual event.”

Harshita trains at the Sports Authority of India’s National Centre of Excellence in Patiala, under the mentorship of her father, Rakesh Jakhar, a former cyclist who represented India in the 2010 Commonwealth Games. She has already made a name for herself in national cycling, securing three gold medals at the 2025 Khelo India Youth Games and earning a silver and two bronze medals at the 2024 Asian Junior Cycling Championships.