Pauline Ferrand-Prévot Claims Historic Victory at Tour de France Femmes

Pauline Ferrand-Prévot made history on July 30, 2023, by winning the Tour de France Femmes, marking the first victory for a French rider in the event since 1989. This achievement ends a long drought for French cyclists, as the last time a home athlete claimed the prestigious yellow jersey was during the era of Jeannie Longo.

Ferrand-Prévot’s journey to victory began after she transitioned from a successful mountain biking career, where she became the Olympic champion in Paris. With a clear goal of clinching the Tour de France Femmes within three years, she surpassed expectations by achieving her objective in just one season.

In the final stage of the race, she crossed the finish line adorned in the yellow jersey, visibly emotional as she celebrated her triumph and the end of France’s long wait for a homegrown champion. Ferrand-Prévot concluded the general classification with a lead of three minutes and 42 seconds over Demi Vollering, the 2023 winner, and four minutes and nine seconds ahead of defending champion Kasia Niewiadoma-Phinney.

Decisive Stages of the Race

Ferrand-Prévot secured her winning position on the penultimate stage of the race, demonstrating her climbing prowess on the challenging Col de la Madeleine, a formidable 18.6-kilometer ascent. She decisively distanced herself from her competitors, gaining over three minutes on both Niewiadoma-Phinney and Vollering during this crucial stage.

The closest competition for Ferrand-Prévot on that day came from Sarah Gigante, who initially attacked on the Col de la Madeleine. Although Gigante was ultimately caught by Ferrand-Prévot, she managed to limit her losses, finishing second on that stage, one minute and 45 seconds behind. This performance left Ferrand-Prévot with a two-and-a-half minute lead in the overall standings, setting her up for a strong finish as she approached the final stage.

Despite her comfortable lead, the last stage was not without its challenges. Early on, Ferrand-Prévot fell behind her rivals on the valley roads, prompting her team to rally and protect her overall lead. However, she quickly regained her momentum, launching a solo attack with six kilometers remaining, crossing the finish line alone to seal her historic victory.

Ferrand-Prévot’s win is not only a personal milestone but also a significant moment for French cycling, reviving the spirit of a nation that holds the Tour de France close to its heart. As she celebrated her victory, the impact of her achievement resonated far beyond the finish line, inspiring future generations of cyclists in France and around the world.