Aigle, August 3, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Indian cyclist Harshita Jakhar has created history by becoming the first woman from the country to feature in the prestigious Tour de France Femmes, the women’s edition of cycling’s most celebrated international race.
The 19-year-old rider from Rajasthan participated in the ceremonial start of Stage 2 in Aigle, Switzerland, where she led a group of cyclists during a 4.5-km neutralised ride held ahead of the race stage.
Harshita was among eight cyclists selected for the UCI World Cycling Talent Programme, an initiative designed to provide promising riders from developing cycling nations with exposure to elite-level racing environments.
The neutralised ride featured cyclists from Afghanistan, Algeria, Chile, Ethiopia, Namibia and Uganda, alongside Harshita, marking a significant milestone for Indian cycling on the global stage.
The Tour de France Femmes, part of the UCI Women’s World Tour calendar, began in Lausanne on August 1 and is scheduled to conclude in Nice on August 9.
UCI President David Lappartient welcomed Harshita’s participation and praised her inclusion in the talent development programme. He expressed confidence that the young cyclist would return to compete in the race in the future.
Lappartient said he was delighted to have a talented athlete like Harshita as part of the UCI World Cycling Talent Programme and added that her experience at the Tour de France Femmes would help her prepare for competing at the highest level of the sport.
Harshita is trained at the Sports Authority of India’s National Centre of Excellence in Patiala under the guidance of her father and coach Rakesh Jakhar, a former Indian cyclist who represented the country at the 2010 Commonwealth Games in New Delhi.
She emerged as one of India’s brightest young cycling prospects after winning three gold medals at the 2025 Khelo India Youth Games. Her achievements also include a silver medal and two bronze medals at the 2024 Asian Junior Cycling Championships.
Her participation in the Tour de France Femmes marks another landmark moment for Indian cycling, giving the teenager valuable international experience as she continues her journey towards competing among the world’s top cyclists.
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