"Yes, my eyes are a bit red. Maybe I caught something" – Van Emden emotional as Ferrand-Prévot wins Tour de France Femmes

For the first time in years, French cycling fans have a reason to celebrate. Pauline Ferrand-Prévot claimed the 2025 Tour de France Femmes on Sunday afternoon, sealing the overall victory with a solo win on the final stage in Châtel Les Portes du Soleil. Riding for Team Visma | Lease a Bike, she became the first French person since the 1980s to win the Maillot Jaune. It was a breakthrough both for Ferrand-Prévot and for France, which has long been waiting for a homegrown champion on cycling’s biggest stage.

"I've contributed to this success, but I'm certainly not a team manager who's won the Tour de France myself," said Jos van Emden to Wielerflits, visibly emotional after the podium ceremony. "The team has done a fantastic job. When I started as a team manager here, I didn't expect us to win the Tour de France so quickly, no."

The final stage saw Ferrand-Prévot emerge from a tense moment of hesitation. Demi Vollering attacked on the last small climb with 7km to go, briefly shedding teammate Juliette Labous, but her move fizzled. Ferrand-Prévot seized the moment and jumped clear, and she could not be reeled in. As the group behind paused, the Frenchwoman powered ahead alone, adding a second consecutive stage win to secure the GC in dominant style.

Ferrand-Prevot has now confirmed her status as one of the greatest ever cyclists, man or woman. A champion on the road, mountain bike, gravel and cyclocross, is now the Queen of the Tour de France.

Van Emden, who called himself a "stable team manager," watched from the sidelines as his riders erupted at the finish. "Well, women cry more anyway. Whether they win or lose," he said with a laugh. "No, it's the whole picture. I fully realize that this is very special and that tears will be shed."

His own red eyes hinted at just how special the moment was. Though he deflected, "Yes, my eyes are a bit red. Maybe I caught something”, he didn’t deny the emotion. "No, but I can't deny that I just had to walk away. We're going to celebrate by having something to eat and drink."

The win also salvaged a rough summer for Team Visma. Their men’s squad, led by Jonas Vingegaard, was soundly beaten by Tadej Pogacar and UAE Team Emirates. But in the women’s race, the Dutch team walked away as clear winners, and in Ferrand-Prévot, France finally has its Tour champion.