The Tour de France Femmes 2026, running from August 1 to 9, has thrust the complex realities of women’s hormonal health back into the spotlight of elite cycling. Following her performance on the opening stage, rider Océane Mahé spoke openly about experiencing amenorrhea, highlighting a broader conversation among athletes, coaches, and medical staff regarding the physiological demands of the nine-day race.
Navigating Menstrual Cycles in the Professional Peloton
For decades, talking about menstruation in high-level sports remained a professional tabu. Today, that silence is breaking. During an intense multi-day stage race like the Tour de France Femmes, the top cyclists in the world face grueling daily efforts while managing varied menstrual symptoms. Professional squads now increasingly integrate cycle tracking into daily preparations. Riders input their periods into team schedules so coaches can adjust training loads, work volumes, and recovery periods.
Cyclists experience their cycles differently. While some encounter minimal disruption, others battle abdominal cramps, lower back pain, severe fatigue, or mood swings. “Certaines fois, ça nous donne un peu moins de bonnes jambes, ça peut nous faire mal au ventre ou au dos, c’est sûr que ça a toujours un impact sur la performance,” explained Amandine Muller, a rider for the Soudal-Quick-Step team. At the same time, physiological impacts are not universally negative. Valentine Fortin of the Cofidis team noted that her testosterone levels increase during her cycle, making her feel potentially stronger while racing on those days.
Understanding RED-S and Hormonal Health Signals
Beyond managing symptoms during active competition, medical teams monitor for signs of hormonal disruption, such as amenorrhea—the complete absence of menstruation. High training intensity combined with heavy energy expenditure and potential weight loss can cause a cyclist’s cycle to stop entirely. “La question des règles revient souvent chez les filles car cela peut être un des symptômes du REDs syndrome, ce syndrome de déficit énergétique relatif lié au sport,” stated Valentin Guillemin, a team physician with Ma Petite Entreprise.
Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport occurs when an athlete experiences a prolonged energy deficit that disrupts normal bodily functions. According to the French National Olympic and Sports Committee (CNOSF), this condition impacts bone density, hormonal balance, cardiovascular health, immune function, and overall athletic recovery.
Next Steps in the 2026 Tour de France Femmes
As the peloton continues its journey through the 2026 race schedule toward the August 9 finish, team medical staffs remain vigilant over rider recovery and nutritional intake.
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