Indian cyclist Harshita Jakhar achieved a significant milestone by becoming the first Indian woman to take part in the Tour de France Femmes 2026, leading a group of riders during the ceremonial start of Stage Two in Aigle, Switzerland. The 19-year-old from Rajasthan earned the opportunity after being selected for the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) World Cycling Talent Programme, which supports promising cyclists from developing nations by exposing them to top-level international racing.
Harshita rode alongside cyclists from Afghanistan, Algeria, Chile, Ethiopia, Namibia and Uganda in the neutralised 4.5-kilometre opening segment before the main peloton began racing. The Tour de France Femmes, which runs from August 1 to August 9, is one of the biggest events in women’s cycling. Welcoming her participation, UCI president David Lappartient praised the young rider and said he believes she has the potential to return in the future as a competitor in the main race.
Who Is Harshita Jakhar? Inside the Childhood and Early Journey of India’s Cycling Trailblazer
Harshita Jakhar is a 19-year-old road cyclist from Rajasthan who has emerged as one of India’s brightest young talents in the sport. She recently became the first Indian woman to be part of the prestigious Tour de France Femmes, leading a group of riders during the ceremonial start of Stage 2 in Aigle, Switzerland. The opportunity came after she was selected for the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) World Cycling Talent Programme, which identifies and supports promising cyclists from developing nations.
Harshita’s cycling journey began during the COVID-19 lockdown in 2020, when she started riding regularly for fitness on the roads of Patiala. What began as a daily routine soon revealed her natural endurance, with her father, former Commonwealth Games cyclist Rakesh Jakhar, noticing that she could comfortably cover 30 to 40 kilometres alongside her cousin. Recognising her potential, he took on the role of her coach, while Harshita continued to refine her skills at the Sports Authority of India (SAI) National Centre of Excellence in Patiala.
Her rise through the ranks was swift. In 2021, Harshita topped her first competitive trials in the Under-14 category at Bikaner before going on to win national gold medals in Mumbai and Hyderabad. Those early successes laid the foundation for her rapid progress, eventually leading to international recognition and her historic appearance at the Tour de France Femmes.
Harshita Jakhar’s Major Career Achievements and Milestones
Harshita Jakhar has built an impressive resume in a short span, progressing from national success to representing India on the international stage. After making her competitive debut by topping the Under-14 trials in Bikaner in 2021, she went on to win national gold medals in Mumbai and Hyderabad. Her breakthrough at the international level came in 2024 when she claimed one silver and two bronze medals at the Asian Junior Cycling Championships in New Delhi.
The young cyclist continued her rise in 2025 by dominating the Khelo India Youth Games with three gold medals and later represented India at the Road Cycling World Championships in Kigali, where she finished 39th in the junior women’s time trial. She also excelled at the All India Inter-University Championship, winning gold medals in the Individual Time Trial and Road Race while being named the tournament’s Best Cyclist.
In 2026, Harshita added another major milestone by helping India set a new national record in the women’s team pursuit at the Asian Track Cycling Championships with a time of 4:37.645. She then became the first Indian woman to feature at the Tour de France Femmes through the UCI World Cycling Talent Programme. Currently part of India’s Target Asian Games Group, Harshita has set her sights on finishing in the top 10 at the 2026 Asian Games and winning a medal at the 2030 edition.
