“So painful… but I just wanted to go as fast as possible” - Pauline Ferrand-Prevot's Maillot Jaune dream nears reality at 2025 Tour de France Femmes

Pauline Ferrand-Prévot is on the verge of completing her remarkable return to road racing with a historic home victory at the 2025 Tour de France Femmes — after seizing control of the race with a devastating solo performance on the Queen Stage.

The Visma | Lease a Bike rider launched her move on the final ascent of the Col de la Madeleine, distancing every major GC contender with 8.5km to go. Last year’s champion Katarzyna Niewiadoma and 2023 Maillot Jaune Demi Vollering were among the elite names left reeling as the Frenchwoman powered into yellow with a stage win for the ages. “It was so painful, the last kilometre,” Ferrand-Prévot admitted afterwards in her post-stage interview. “Also because I wanted to have a gap as big as possible for tomorrow. I also tried to enjoy it, but until the finish line is crossed, it's not over yet.”

Earlier in the day, a 14-woman breakaway formed on the first climb, with Niamh Fisher-Black posing the biggest threat on GC. But as the final kilometres ticked down, the elite group was whittled away — and when teammate Marion Bunel dropped back to help pace her on the Madeleine, Ferrand-Prévot pounced. “I just wanted to go as fast as possible to the finish line, and I'm so happy we made it as a team,” she said. “I want to thank my teammates because they have been amazing, and I hope that we can finish off the work tomorrow.”

Now in Maillot Jaune with one stage to go, Ferrand-Prévot stands on the brink of delivering the Tour de France Femmes title French fans have waited so long for. The lead she takes into the final day? 2:37 over Sarah Gigante, with Vollering and Niewiadoma at 3:18 and 3:40 respectively, seemingly out of reach barring any Ferrand-Prevot disaster.