“The current system is not set up to protect female health” – Talks of drastic measures following Ferrand-Prevot’s Tour de France Femmes weight loss

Two weeks after Pauline Ferrand-Prévot’s landmark win at the 2025 Tour de France Femmes, discussion around her apparent significant weight loss has ignited a wider debate in professional cycling. Now, The Cyclists’ Alliance (TCA), the union representing women’s riders, has stepped in, urging the UCI to introduce mandatory annual screening for RED-S (Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport) and bone mineral density testing.

TCA president Grace Brown made the union’s position clear in a statement: “We are constantly working towards making professional cycling a sustainable and fulfilling career for women. Rider health and wellbeing are vital for career longevity. The current system is not set up to protect female health, so I believe it’s our duty to continue educating and advocating for better standards that allow women to perform with well-fuelled, strong, and happy bodies.”

The official TCA statement called on cycling’s governing body to revisit earlier proposals: “We today invite the UCI to reconsider our proposal, and we offer our support and expertise. While we appreciate that this may require some work to ensure appropriate implementation, we believe that it is more than worth the effort to introduce some form of protocol for both female and male cyclists racing professionally under the UCI.” The organisation also confirmed it will launch a campaign this autumn focused on education and awareness around athlete health and wellbeing.

Ferrand-Prévot’s performance, becoming the first French rider in decades to win the yellow jersey, was hailed as one of the greatest moments in modern women’s cycling. But the transformation in her physique leading up to the race sparked conversation within the peloton. It’s safe to say that some of Ferrand-Prevot’s competitors don’t agree with the weight loss.

Marlen Reusser, one of her competitors, spoke openly about the situation: “We secretly hoped that she wouldn’t be successful,” she admitted. “Ferrand-Prévot has set a new standard. When riders are this successful by becoming so thin, it puts pressure on all of us.”

Second-place finisher Demi Vollering addressed the broader implications of such trends: “I make, and will continue to make, every decision in my career by putting my health first.” Meanwhile, eighth-placed Cérdrine Kerbaol described the sport as being in a “dangerous moment” when it comes to issues surrounding low body weight.

Ferrand-Prévot has been forthright in defending her preparation strategy. “I lost weight purely for this race. I did it with a lot of help from the team,” she told Sporza, detailing the support network she had at her disposal. With a nutritionist, chef, and nutrition coach working alongside her, she said “everything could be analysed.”

She rejected suggestions that her approach was reckless: “My weight loss was somewhat controlled and intelligent. It wasn't an illness. There was a lot of fuss about it, but I don't take that personally. We're professional athletes. I simply prepared as best I could for the biggest race in the world. The last days of the Tour were very tough, so watts per kilogram were very important. It's just a process.”

RED-S is a recognised condition caused by insufficient energy intake to support the demands of training and daily life, leading to hormonal disruption, decreased bone density, and increased risk of injury. While it has long been acknowledged as an issue in endurance sports, cycling has struggled with consistent protocols for prevention and monitoring.

By linking RED-S screening with bone mineral density testing, the TCA hopes to make such checks a standard part of a rider’s medical calendar, much like regular blood tests or heart screenings. Their argument is that without systemic safeguards, the competitive pressure to achieve performance gains through extreme weight reduction will continue unchecked, potentially shortening careers and damaging long-term health.

Ferrand-Prévot’s case has brought that tension into focus. For her, targeted weight reduction was part of a controlled plan. But for others, the visual and competitive precedent it sets can create dangerous expectations, particularly for younger riders or those without access to the same level of professional support. So is this a type of marginal gains, or has it gone too far?

The question is where do we draw the line.