Primoz Roglic & Pauline Ferrand-Prévot shine at star-studded post-Tour de France Criterium in Etten-Leur

In a criterium packed with elite names and late-summer spectacle, it was Primoz Roglic who stole the show in Etten-Leur, taking a commanding overall victory in only his second outing since the end of the 2025 Tour de France.

Now firmly established as one of the marquee post-Tour criteriums in Europe, the Etten-Leur event once again drew a world-class field. Local hero Mathieu van der Poel returned to racing for the first time since abandoning the Tour de France due to pneumonia — and looked anything but undercooked in the early stages.

The Dutchman got off to a flying start, taking victories in both the opening race and the time trial, ahead of Thymen Arensman and Roglic. But the momentum shifted in the 22-lap road race, where Irishman Ben Healy ignited the action with a powerful ride that left the standings wide open going into the final event.

Heading into the decisive points race, Roglic and Arensman were tied on 72 points, with Van der Poel still in striking distance on 66. But when the decisive moves came, it was Roglic who delivered. With a clinical late attack, the four-time Vuelta a Espana champion crossed the line solo, racking up enough points to secure overall victory and confirm that, despite a relatively quiet Tour, he's still a force to be reckoned with.

The win adds Roglic’s name to a glittering list of past champions including Peter Sagan, Chris Froome, Jonas Vingegaard, and Van der Poel himself. For the Slovenian, it’s a confidence-boosting return to winning ways ahead of the autumn campaign.

Van der Poel, still recovering from illness but clearly racing with intent, rounded out the podium in third — an encouraging result as he eyes his next objective at the Renewi Tour, which starts Wednesday.

In the women’s event, there was no stopping Pauline Ferrand-Prévot. The reigning Tour de France Femmes champion made light work of the Etten-Leur course, powering away solo to claim a commanding win.

Racing in her Team Visma | Lease a Bike trade colours rather than the Maillot Jaune, Ferrand-Prévot looked every bit the dominant figure she’s been all season. Behind her, Lorena Wiebes — clad in green — won the sprint for second from a chasing group, ahead of rainbow jersey wearer Lotte Kopecky in third.

It was a podium worthy of a World Tour classic — and a timely showcase of Ferrand-Prévot’s incredible form across road and off-road disciplines. She now heads to Brittany for the Critérium de Bretagne in Javené next Sunday, where she’ll reconnect with her home fans in what’s shaping up to be one of the most successful seasons of her career.