Pauline Ferrand-Prévot, the defending champion of the Women's Tour de France, has withdrawn from this year's race after feeling unwell on Saturday morning, ahead of the eighth and penultimate stage. Her team, Visma-Lease a Bike, confirmed the decision was made in consultation with medical staff. "Unfortunately, Pauline was not feeling well this morning. It has been decided that she will not start today. We wish Pauline a speedy recovery," the team said.
Ferrand-Prévot, 34, had already endured a difficult race by her own high standards. The French rider conceded significant time in the individual time trial early in the race, struggled in the hilly stage to Belleville-en-Beaujolais, and on Friday finished more than ten minutes behind stage winner Katarzyna Niewiadoma-Phinney on the gruelling ascent of Mont Ventoux — the iconic, wind-swept peak in Provence, southern France, that is one of cycling's most celebrated climbs. She had slipped to 14th place overall, more than 14 minutes off the race lead.
Her withdrawal comes in sharp contrast to her triumph at last year's edition, which she won on her debut in the event. A versatile and celebrated athlete, Ferrand-Prévot also claimed Olympic gold in mountain biking at the Paris 2024 Games, underlining her status as one of France's most decorated cyclists.
With Ferrand-Prévot out of contention, attention now turns to the battle for the overall title. Polish rider Katarzyna Niewiadoma-Phinney currently wears the yellow jersey after a commanding solo victory to the summit of Mont Ventoux on Friday, seizing the lead from Swiss rider Marlen Reusser. Saturday's eighth stage is a flat 172-kilometre route from Sisteron, in southeast France, to the Mediterranean city of Nice — terrain expected to favour sprinters rather than the general classification contenders.
The race concludes with a final stage on Sunday, leaving Niewiadoma-Phinney well placed to claim overall victory. For Ferrand-Prévot, the early exit will be a significant disappointment after what had already been a subdued defence of her title.