French cyclist Pauline Ferrand-Prévot triumphs in the Tour de France Femmes, marking her as the first French champion in the event since its 1989 victory.
For the first time in 36 years, France has a champion in cycling's biggest race. Pauline Ferrand-Prevéot, a French cyclist, secured victory in the Tour de France Femmes 2025, marking a significant achievement in the sport's history.
Ferrand-Prevéot crossed the line alone in the final stage, securing her win with a dominating performance. She had a two-and-a-half minute lead over her closest challenger, Sarah Gigante, in the overall classification before the final stage.
The final stage was a challenging one, with the Col de la Madeleine looming large. Ferrand-Prevéot fell behind her rivals on the valley roads before the climb, but she launched a solo attack with six kilometers still to race. Gigante was dropped on the final stage and lost her podium spot.
Ferrand-Prevéot's team had to chase and protect her overall lead during the final stage, but she managed to maintain her lead and seal her win with victory in the final stage of the race.
Pauline Ferrand-Prevéot's victory in the Tour de France Femmes comes three years after she returned to road cycling from a successful mountain bike career. Her explicit goal was to win the Tour de France Femmes within this timeframe.
In the general classification, Ferrand-Prevéot finished four minutes and nine seconds ahead of defending champion Kasia Niewiadoma-Phinney. She also finished three minutes and 42 seconds ahead of Demi Vollering.
Ferrand-Prevéot's win was a significant achievement for French cycling, as it ended a drought that had lasted since Jeannie Longo won the women's Tour de France in 1989. The men's Tour de France has not been won by a French cyclist since Laurent Fignon claimed victory in 1984.
As Ferrand-Prevéot crossed the line, she was resplendent in the yellow jersey, overcome by the emotion of ending France's long wait for a home champion of its iconic race. It was a moment that will be remembered in French cycling history for years to come.
References:
- Tadej Pogačar wins 2025 Tour de France
- Slovenian Tadej Pogačar wins 2025 Tour de France
- Pauline Ferrand-Prevéot wins 2025 Tour de France Femmes
- French cyclist Pauline Ferrand-Prevéot wins 2025 Tour de France Femmes
Pauline Ferrand-Prevéot's triumph in the Tour de France Femmes marked a triumphant return to road cycling for her, having set a goal to win within three years of resuming her career. Her dominating performance in the race also signified a resurgence in French cycling, ending a 36-year drought since France last had a champion in the Tour de France (men's or women's).
