Ninth Stage of Tour de France Femmes: Pauline Ferrand-Prévot Grabs Historic Overall Win with Consecutive Mountain Stage Triumphs at Châtel
Ferrand-Prevot Wins 2025 Tour de France Femmes in Solo Victory
Pauline Ferrand-Prevot has made history by winning the 2025 Tour de France Femmes in a solo victory, marking a major milestone in women's cycling. The French rider's triumph was the result of meticulous preparation, tactical intelligence, and physical adaptation.
The final stage of the Tour saw Ferrand-Prevot donning the yellow jersey, but she lost contact with the peloton on the opening descent. Her team had to work hard to close the gap. However, Ferrand-Prevot made her move on the final climb, increasing her gap to a few seconds before throwing herself into the 2km downhill.
Meanwhile, Kasia Niewiadoma-Phinney and Elisa Longo Borghini attacked on the descent, causing Gigante to lose contact again. This left a group of seven riders, including Niewiadoma-Phinney, Demi Vollering, Juliette Labous, Niamh Fisher-Black, Dominika Włodarczyk, and Gigante, to fight for the podium.
In the end, it was Niewiadoma-Phinney who finished third in the final stage, while Vollering moved up to second place in the overall standings. Ferrand-Prevot, however, maintained her lead and crossed the finish line alone, securing her victory.
Ferrand-Prevot's race strategy included patient riding and well-timed attacks. During mountain stages like the ascent of the Col de la Madeleine, she bridged to breakaway riders and then launched a decisive full-gas attack near the finish. Her team supported her by controlling pace and assisting when she was caught out, demonstrating collective race control.
Her preparation was highly focused and scientific. She stopped racing after the Vuelta to concentrate on training, including high-altitude sessions, allowing her to peak physically and mentally for the Tour. A crucial part of her preparation was optimizing her body composition for climbing, dropping 4 kilograms specifically for the mountain stages to improve her watts per kilogram ratio.
Ferrand-Prevot's victory is hailed as historic and inspirational, fueling increased visibility and enthusiasm for women’s cycling. Her high-profile success at a premier race, combined with her openness about training and body management, is influencing sports culture by challenging double standards and demonstrating professionalism. Alongside fellow French riders’ strong performances, her success helps elevate the profile of the sport in France and worldwide, encouraging young female riders and broadening the fan base.
References:
- CyclingTips
- Velonews
- BBC Sport
- The Guardian
- New York Times
Sports enthusiasts around the world are celebrating the historic victory of Pauline Ferrand-Prevot in the 2025 Tour de France Femmes. Her triumph in the prestigious race has boosted the visibility and enthusiasm for women's cycling, acting as a catalyst for the sport's growth and attracting new fans across the globe.
