Cycling competition Stage 9 of Tour de France, reported by Cédrine Kerbaol: "The timing of this setback couldn't have been worse"
Cédrine Kerbaol Falls Short of General Classification Podium in Tour de France Femmes 2024
Cédrine Kerbaol, the French cyclist, made history in the 2024 Tour de France Femmes by securing her best-ever finish, coming in sixth overall. Despite this significant achievement, which included her first Tour de France Femmes stage win (stage six) through a successful breakaway, Kerbaol failed to reach the general classification podium (top three).
The reasons behind her failure to win the podium appear to be rooted in the fierce competition in the race, the strength of her team, and the depth of the field. After her successful 2024 season at Ceratizit Pro Cycling, Kerbaol moved to EF Education-Oatly for the following year.
There is no evidence of a specific failure, injury, or crash that prevented Kerbaol from reaching the podium in 2024. Instead, her sixth place reflects a strong performance given the high level of competition.
As the 2025 Tour de France Femmes approached, Kerbaol remained competitive and continued her advocacy work on rider health and nutrition, indicating a broader professional focus beyond just results.
Kerbaol participated in her third Tour de France in 2024. Despite a crash just before the start of the main difficulty of the Col de Joux Plane during Stage 9, she initially believed she could complete the stage. However, her motivation dwindled during the stage, and she eventually accepted that it was too late to catch up. As a result, she finished Stage 9 outside the top 10 and conceded over 9 minutes to Pauline Ferrand-Prévot during the stage.
Despite finishing the Tour de France in 8th place in the general classification, Kerbaol expressed slight disappointment after the race. However, she saw what she was capable of and what her team could do this year, suggesting that she is optimistic about her future performances.
In the previous Tour de France, Kerbaol achieved a stage victory and won the best young rider's jersey. Her aim for this year's Tour de France was to secure a first general classification podium, but she was unable to catch up with the race leaders after the crash. Despite this setback, Kerbaol had no regrets about her performance in the 2023 Tour de France.
Throughout the Tour de France, Kerbaol recounted the day's stage for Libération every evening, providing fans with an insight into her experiences during the race. Despite the challenges she faced, Kerbaol's determination and resilience shone through, making her a role model for aspiring cyclists.
Cédrine Kerbaol, despite her strong performance in the 2024 Tour de France Femmes and securing a sixth-place finish, did not manage to reach the general classification podium. In the following year, Kerbaol shifted to EF Education-Oatly, highlighting her continued commitment to sports and her pursuit of success in the cycling world.
