Lotte Kopecký showed unmatched strength on the final climb to win the first stage of the Tour de France Femme, but members of the selected chase group were left wondering what more they could have done to prevent SD Walks from winning.

"I am disappointed with my run in the final," said Kasia Nyewadoma as she cooled down in her trainer after the hilly opener. The stage ends with a Category 3 climb over the Côte de D'Hertre that peaks with 9km to go.

"I felt strong and in good shape. I hope it happens because it's annoying to go into a race in good shape and not do anything."

"I think I really screwed up when Lotte went, I lost a couple of seconds, and I'm really disappointed that I didn't do anything to help her. I was trying to get in front of Ashley Moolman (Pacio) and she got in my way. It's a shame it turned out like this because I think I could have done better."

Kopecký attacked midway up the final climb and quickly opened a small gap.

In the first chase group were FDJ-SUEZ, Marta Cavalli, Evita Mujic, Cecilie Uttrup-Ludwig, Canyon-SRAM, Niwi Adoma, Ricarda Bauernfind, Elise Chaby, and Movistar, defending champion Annemiek van Fruten, and Liane Lippert, among others. There were also individual riders such as Demi Vollaring (SD Walks), Elisa Longo Borghini (Lidl Trek), and Mavi Garcia (Liv Racing Techfind), who were not chased by their teammates.

There was little cohesion in the chase group behind Kepcky, and Cavalli suggested that Vollering had "sabotaged" the chase by moving to the front and slowing the pace. The second group, which included Marlen Reusser and Wiebes (SD Works) and Marianne Vos (Jumbo Visma), reconnected with 2 km to go, at which point Kopecký had a 40-second lead and the stage win.

"It [wasn't organized] for sure. All the groups came back together from behind and we knew we weren't really running," said Niewiadoma, suggesting that the team may have chosen not to chase Kopecký because he was not a GC contender in SD Worx.

"Sometimes it feels like no one wants to work together because everyone has different tactics and strategies. The commitment (to the chase) is always smaller because she is not fighting in Tourmalet."

Ashley Moolman-Pasio (AG Insurance-Soudal-Quick Step) also expressed frustration with the lack of cohesiveness of the chase group. She did not have any other teammates, but felt that the other racers besides SD Worx could have helped to close the gap on Kopecky.

"Cassia and I got pretty close, but then the downhill started and it was very frustrating. There were riders from other teams, so it wasn't my job to chase them down. I didn't want to just sit there, so I tried to keep things going," said Mourman Pacio.

"I don't understand the mentality of attacking and counter-attacking. In any case, it wasn't a big surprise that it started the way it did, but I feel good and am looking forward to the next few days."

Lidl Trek had one rider in the chase group, Elisa Longo Borghini. However, team director Ina Toitenberg said that she did not expect or ask for Longo Borghini to be in the chase in this scenario.

"I know how strong Kopecký is, and I never say never, but I don't think she is a threat to GC. There are six classic stages and maybe she'll gain 10 minutes and then maybe she won't catch up. But there is only one and I won't let her catch me," Teutenberg said.

"Kopecký was very strong today. It takes a lot of leg strength to run like her and nobody could react. There were many mountain riders who saw her go on the climb, but none had the legs to follow.

"Kopecky and Chapeau, the best riders won"