Cyclist Pauline Ferrand-Prévot wins the emotional Stage 9 of the Tour de France Femmes, locking in her groundbreaking overall triumph
Pauline Ferrand-Prévot Wins Historic Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift
Pauline Ferrand-Prévot has made history by becoming the first French winner of the Tour de France Femmes depuis 1989, securing a memorable victory in the 2025 edition of the race.
Ferrand-Prévot, who returned to road cycling after a six-year sabbatical, dominated the race, winning two consecutive stages in the Alps, including a decisive penultimate stage on the challenging Col de la Madeleine. Her victory marks a significant milestone for French cycling, ending a 36-year wait for a French winner in the women’s Tour de France.
The final stage, a mountainous 124.1 km route from Praz-sur-Arly to Châtel, saw Ferrand-Prévot maintain her lead despite strong attacks from rivals such as Sarah Gigante and Demi Vollering, the previous year’s champion.
Ferrand-Prevot's solo ride to victory was greeted with enthusiastic cheers from the home crowd, symbolizing a powerful emotional milestone for France in women’s road cycling. Her performance was nothing short of impressive, with an average power output of 5.04 watts per kilogram over nearly 65 minutes on a high-altitude climb, comparable to iconic efforts by previous champions.
Vollering and Demi Vollering finished second and third, respectively, in stage nine, while Gigante was dropped from the race, ending her hopes of a podium place. The ninth stage included a 11.6km climb, and the six-rider yellow jersey group, including Niewiadoma-Phinney, Vollering, Juliette Labous, Fisher-Black, and Dominika Wlodarczyk, bridged the gap to Van der Breggen, who was unable to respond.
Ferrand-Prévot's victory underscores a shift in women’s cycling, highlighting how riders with strong climbing abilities can challenge previously dominant contenders. Her win also reflects her versatile talent, being an Olympic mountain bike champion who has now secured one of the most prestigious titles on the road cycling calendar.
In summary, Ferrand-Prévot's victory is both a personal comeback story and a landmark event for French cycling, marking renewed French prominence in the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift after decades.
**References**
[1] Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift (2025). Stage 9 Results. Retrieved from www.letour.fr/women
[2] Cyclingnews (2025). Pauline Ferrand-Prévot wins Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift. Retrieved from www.cyclingnews.com
[3] VeloNews (2025). Pauline Ferrand-Prévot wins Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift. Retrieved from www.velonews.com
[4] BBC Sport (2025). Pauline Ferrand-Prévot wins Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift. Retrieved from www.bbc.co.uk/sport
[5] The Guardian (2025). Pauline Ferrand-Prévot wins Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift. Retrieved from www.theguardian.com/sport
The win of Pauline Ferrand-Prévot in the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwikt is a significant milestone for both French cycling and women's sports, marking a shift in women's cycling and showcasing the versatile talent of a former Olympic mountain bike champion.
Her victory in the 2025 edition of the race, ending a 36-year wait for a French winner in the women's Tour de France, underscores the strength and prowess of riders with strong climbing abilities in the sport of road cycling.
