Pauline Ferrand-Prévot Secures Dominant Victory at the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift
Pauline Ferrand-Prévot cemented her place in cycling history on Sunday, claiming her second stage win and, more importantly, the overall general classification (GC) title at the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift. The French rider thrilled her home crowd with a powerful performance, demonstrating a level of dominance rarely seen in modern cycling.
She surged ahead of her rivals with 6.5 kilometers remaining, ultimately crossing the finish line in Châtel Les Portes du Soleil a full 20 seconds ahead of the competition. This victory wasn’t just about a stage win; it was a resounding confirmation of her overall strength and strategic brilliance throughout the nine-day race.
A Commanding Lead in the GC
Ferrand-Prévot’s final GC margin of 3:42 over second-place Demi Vollering (FDJ-Suez) is a testament to her consistent performance. It’s a important gap in a race of this caliber, showcasing her exceptional form and tactical acumen.
Kasia Niewiadoma (Canyon-SRAM-Zondacrypto) finished third just three seconds behind vollering, followed closely by Niamh Fisher-Black (Lidl-Trek). Dominika Włodarczyk (UAE Team ADQ) rounded out the top five, finishing 33 seconds behind the stage winner.
Shifting GC Positions and a Dramatic Descent
Sarah Gigante, who began the day in second place experienced a challenging day on the Col du Joux-Plane descent. She lost valuable time, ultimately dropping to sixth in the GC standings. This shift allowed Niewiadoma to climb to third, with Włodarczyk and Fisher-Black completing the top five.
You might have noticed a notably aggressive ride from Anna van der Breggen. Returning to professional cycling after a three-and-a-half-year retirement, she immediately made her presence known.
Van der Breggen’s Bold Attack
Van der Breggen launched a daring,long-range attack on the Côte d’Arâches-la-Frasse,95 kilometers from the finish.she quickly built a substantial lead, gaining nearly two minutes on the GC contenders.
Although ultimately caught with 32 kilometers remaining, her effort demonstrated the form that made her a champion in the past. It was a clear signal that she’s back and ready to compete at the highest level.
A Moment of Pure Emotion
Ferrand-Prévot’s victory was a deeply emotional moment. She collapsed to the ground immediately after crossing the finish line, overcome with tears of joy.She openly admitted that winning the Tour de France Femmes was her primary goal upon returning to cycling, but she never fully anticipated achieving it in her first year back. This win represents a remarkable comeback and a peak performance for a truly exceptional athlete.
Stage Results (Top 5):
1st: Pauline Ferrand-Prévot
2nd: Demi Vollering (FDJ-Suez) – +20 seconds
3rd: Kasia Niewiadoma (Canyon-SRAM-zondacrypto) – +23 seconds
4th: Niamh Fisher-Black (Lidl-trek) – +26 seconds
5th: Dominika Włodarczyk (UAE Team ADQ) - +33 seconds
General Classification (Top 5):
1st: Pauline Ferrand-prévot
2nd: Demi Vollering (FDJ-Suez) - +3:42
3rd: Kasia Niewiadoma (Canyon-SRAM-Zondacrypto) – +3:45
* 4th: Dominika Włodarczyk (UAE Team ADQ) - +4:18
