Pauline Ferrand-Prévot Poised for Historic Tour de France Femmes Victory
Pauline Ferrand-Prévot leads the Tour de France Femmes, aiming for France's first win in 36 years after her 8th stage triumph.
Key Points
- • Ferrand-Prévot leads the Tour de France Femmes after winning the 8th stage.
- • She holds a 2'37'' lead over Sarah Gigante and a 3'18'' lead over Demi Vollering.
- • The final stage will be crucial, featuring significant climbs through the Alps.
- • Emotional celebrations highlight Ferrand-Prévot's journey and significance for women's cycling.
Pauline Ferrand-Prévot has made headlines in the 2025 Tour de France Femmes with a remarkable performance, winning the 8th stage at Col de la Madeleine on August 2, 2025. This victory places her in an advantageous position for the overall title, leading the general classification ahead of the final stage with significant margins over her closest competitors, Sarah Gigante and Demi Vollering.
Ferrand-Prévot now holds a comfortable advantage of 2 minutes and 37 seconds over Gigante and 3 minutes and 18 seconds over defending champion Vollering. "I was confident this morning at the start in Chambéry. The ascent of the Madeleine is comparable to what I usually do in mountain biking," Ferrand-Prévot stated, underscoring her strategic preparation and emotional journey toward securing this title, which she describes as a "dream of a little girl."
The final stage on August 3 from Praz-sur-Arlay to Châtel promises to be challenging, incorporating steep climbs including Arâches-la-Frasse and Joux Plane. As Ferrand-Prévot prepares for this crucial leg of the race, her focus remains on maintaining her lead while keeping an eye on her competitors, particularly Gigante and Niewiadoma, who are looking to capitalize on any opportunity to close the gap.
Ferrand-Prévot, an accomplished former mountain bike champion, noted the importance of teamwork in her success, crediting her teammate Marion Bunel for supporting her during the tough climbs. The race director, Marion Rousse, expressed pride in Ferrand-Prévot's achievements, linking them to a broader historical significance for women's cycling. Rousse remarked, "What we are experiencing today will mark the history of sport, not just women's sport," adding that Ferrand-Prévot serves as a strong role model for young girls aspiring to excel in cycling.
As excitement continues to build around the Tour de France Femmes, Ferrand-Prévot's potential victory would mark the first time in 36 years that a French woman has won the prestigious event, with the last being Jeannie Longo in 1989. Despite the anticipation, the outcome remains uncertain as the final stage approaches, highlighting the unpredictable nature of competitive cycling.