In a historic moment for French cycling, Pauline Ferrand-Prévot has won the Tour de France Femmes, ending a 34-year wait for a French winner in the prestigious event. The victory marks a triumphant return to road cycling for Ferrand-Prévot, who transitioned from a successful mountain bike career, including an Olympic championship in Paris. With a clear goal to win the Tour de France Femmes within three years, Ferrand-Prévot achieved this feat in just one season, showcasing her determination and skill.
Ferrand-Prévot’s win was sealed with a victory in the final stage of the race, where she crossed the line resplendent in the yellow jersey, overcome with emotion. Her dominant performance was evident in the general classification, where she finished three minutes and 42 seconds ahead of 2023 winner Demi Vollering in second and four minutes and nine seconds ahead of defending champion Kasia Niewiadoma-Phinney. The decisive moment came on the penultimate stage, where Ferrand-Prévot rode away from her rivals on the mighty 18.6 km long Col de la Madeleine, gaining over three minutes on Niewiadoma-Phinney and Vollering.
Ferrand-Prévot’s win was sealed with a victory in the final stage of the race, where she crossed the line resplendent in the yellow jersey, overcome with emotion. Her dominant performance was evident in the general classification, where she finished three minutes and 42 seconds ahead of 2023 winner Demi Vollering in second and four minutes and nine seconds ahead of defending champion Kasia Niewiadoma-Phinney. The decisive moment came on the penultimate stage, where Ferrand-Prévot rode away from her rivals on the mighty 18.6 km long Col de la Madeleine, gaining over three minutes on Niewiadoma-Phinney and Vollering.
Ferrand-Prévot’s closest challenge on Stage 8 came from Sarah Gigante, who attacked early on the Col de la Madeleine. However, Ferrand-Prévot caught and passed Gigante, limiting her losses to finish second, one minute and 45 seconds back. This performance left Ferrand-Prévot with a two-and-a-half minute lead over Gigante in the overall classification, setting her up for a comfortable win in the final stage. Gigante was eventually dropped on the final stage, losing her podium spot.
Despite having a significant lead, Ferrand-Prévot faced challenges on the final stage. She fell behind her rivals on the valley roads before the first climb, forcing her team to chase and protect her overall lead. However, Ferrand-Prévot recovered to launch a solo attack with six kilometers still to race, crossing the line alone and cementing her victory.
Ferrand-Prévot’s win marks a new era for French cycling, bringing hope and excitement to fans after a long drought for a home champion in the iconic Tour de France Femmes. Her achievement is a testament to her hard work, dedication, and skill, and it will undoubtedly inspire a new generation of French cyclists.
