Pauline Ferrand-Prévot says the Tour de France Femmes level has risen sharply, rather than her own form collapsing.
The defending champion lost 2:35 to Demi Vollering, Marlen Reusser and Kasia Niewiadoma on Wednesday’s stage 5. She finished 19th on the day, a result that badly damaged her general classification hopes.
Afterward, Ferrand-Prévot offered an unexpected explanation. She did not present the loss as a personal failure. Instead, she argued that the wider race standard had moved on quickly.
Ferrand-Prévot points to higher Tour de France Femmes level
On Thursday, a television interviewer suggested Ferrand-Prévot might not have reached the same level this year. The French rider rejected that framing.
She said her level was “quite good” and added that others were simply better. She also revealed that she had produced her best 10-minute power on the final climb Wednesday.
That data supported her view that she had not arrived underprepared. It also underlined how rapidly the strongest riders around her have improved.
Ferrand-Prévot returned to the road with a clear Tour de France Femmes target. The race played a major role in her decision to move back from years focused on off-road competition.
When she signed a three-year contract with Visma-Lease a Bike, she said she wanted to win the race during that period.
She achieved that goal in dominant fashion last year. Ferrand-Prévot arrived much lighter than before, which drew attention and some criticism.
She stressed at the time that such weight loss was not sustainable. She also said it would not be healthy to stay at that level long term.
Still, that preparation helped create a large performance gap. She finished almost four minutes ahead of runner-up Vollering in the final standings.
Mont Ventoux remains a stage target
This year, the race picture looks very different. Ferrand-Prévot finished with the GC group on Thursday’s stage 6, but earlier damage remains significant.
Her time loss came from both Wednesday’s stage and Tuesday’s time trial. She sits exactly five minutes down before Friday’s stage to Mont Ventoux.
Ferrand-Prévot still hopes to fight for victory on that mountain stage. However, she accepts that a repeat overall win now looks all but impossible.
Her reaction has been notably generous toward her rivals. She said many riders can now race at a high level, and called the one-year change “huge.”
She also framed the shift as a positive sign for the sport. Rather than resent the progress around her, she said she must keep improving.
Ferrand-Prévot also praised her teammates, saying they are developing quickly and learning fast. She highlighted their ability to ride near the front and influence the race.
That tone matters for Visma-Lease a Bike in the final days. Ferrand-Prévot joined the team as a leader, and her GC bid has faded.
Yet her response may still help the squad chase the best possible result. She remains focused on racing, supporting teammates, and targeting opportunities.
For the wider peloton, her assessment carries weight. A rider who dominated one edition now sees a deeper, faster race one year later.
That may be difficult for a defending champion. It also suggests women’s cycling continues to accelerate at the top level.
Related Cycle Nation stories
- Le Court wins Tour Femmes stage 6 after late bridge to breakaway
- Bart Lemmen seizes Tour de Pologne lead after rain, crash and late attack
- Kim Le Court-Pienaar wins stage six after late mechanical scare
- Kasia Niewiadoma-Phinney Eyes Yellow After Stage 5 Near Miss
- Vollering stage win tightens Tour de France Femmes battle