Cédrine Kerbaol has become the first home rider to win a stage in the three-year history of the Tour de France Femmes.

Kerbaol lifted her arms above her head and made a heart sign with her hands as she crossed the line at the end of the sixth stage, a hilly 159.2-kilometre journey from Remiremont to Morteau.

The 23-year-old Frenchwoman, riding for Ceratizit–WNT Pro Cycling, attacked from the bunch at the top of the final climb with 14.5km remaining.

She used her descending prowess to pull away and finish 21 seconds ahead Marianne Vos and Liane Lippert.

The victory also lifted Kerbaol into second spot in the general classification, 16 seconds behind Kasia Niewiadoma heading into the final two stages in the high mountains.

American Kristen Faulkner was third, 19 seconds behind Niewiadoma.

Sarah Gigante led the Australian contingent home in the sixth stage, finishing in 25th position.

Gigante is also the leading Australian in the general classification, holding down 21st place.

Polish cyclist Niewiadoma moved into the overall lead following stage five.

Defending champion Demi Vollering had been on top of the standings but she crashed late in the fifth stage and lost more than a minute to her rivals.

Saturday's penultimate stage is almost entirely devoid of flat sections and has five classified climbs on the 166.4-kilometre route from Champagnole, including the second-category ascent to the summit finish at Le Grand-Bornand.

AP/ABC