Estimated reading time: 3 minutes
Key Takeaways
- Pauline Ferrand-Prévot won the mountain stage at Col de la Madeleine during the 2025 Tour de France Femmes.
- She secured her first yellow jersey, leading the overall classification at this race.
- The victory emphasizes the rising prominence and visibility of women’s professional cycling.
- Ferrand-Prévot’s performance inspires endurance, strategy, and resilience among cyclists.
- Upcoming stages will test her ability to defend the leader’s jersey against strong rivals.
Table of Contents
Historic Win on the Queen Stage
Taking the Yellow Jersey — Leadership in the Overall Classification
Why This Matters: Implications for Women’s Cycling
Historic Win on the Queen Stage
On August 2, 2025, Ferrand-Prévot launched a powerful solo attack in the mountainous eighth stage, finishing alone at Saint-François-Longchamp after an extraordinary climb up the Col de la Madeleine, the Tour’s toughest ascent. Her dominant display left rivals trailing, showcasing unrivaled strength and skill in the high mountains [1] [2] [4] [5].
Taking the Yellow Jersey — Leadership in the Overall Classification
This stunning victory propelled Ferrand-Prévot into the overall race lead, earning her the yellow jersey, a symbol of the general classification leader. It’s her first stage win and yellow jersey in the Tour de France Femmes, underscoring her rise as a major contender in women’s professional cycling [3] [5].
Why This Matters: Implications for Women’s Cycling
Ferrand-Prévot’s triumph resonates beyond just one victory. It highlights the growing competitiveness and visibility of women’s cycling, especially as the Tour de France Femmes continues to expand its stature and audience. The success of a French rider on home terrain adds local pride and fans’ excitement to the event.
Her performance serves as inspiration and a benchmark for endurance, strategy, and resilience in the sport. With several stages still to come, all eyes will be on Ferrand-Prévot to see if she can maintain her lead and make history by winning the overall Tour de France Femmes title.
What to Watch Next
- Upcoming stages: Will Ferrand-Prévot defend the yellow jersey against fierce competition?
- Rivals’ responses: How will top contenders regroup after this decisive mountain assault?
- Fan engagement: Expect a surge in enthusiasm, particularly in France, as locals rally behind their star cyclist.
FAQ
Who is Pauline Ferrand-Prévot?
Pauline Ferrand-Prévot is a renowned French professional cyclist known for her versatility across road, mountain, and cyclo-cross disciplines. In 2025, she made headlines by dominating the Tour de France Femmes, especially after her impressive win on the Col de la Madeleine.
What was her significant victory?
Her standout achievement was her solo victory on the mountainous eighth stage, finishing alone at Saint-François-Longchamp after an arduous climb up the Col de la Madeleine, which earned her the yellow jersey and made her a frontrunner in the race.
Why is her win important for women’s cycling?
Her success highlights the increasing competitiveness and visibility of women’s cycling. It also showcases the potential of French athletes and adds excitement and inspiration to the sport’s growth.