{"id":2083800,"date":"2026-08-07T18:58:05","date_gmt":"2026-08-07T15:58:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2083800"},"modified":"2026-08-07T18:58:05","modified_gmt":"2026-08-07T15:58:05","slug":"no-fairytale-mont-ventoux-comeback-for-pauline-ferrand-prevot-as-team-still-without-answers-on-underwhelming-tour-de-france-femmes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2083800","title":{"rendered":"No fairytale Mont Ventoux comeback for Pauline Ferrand-Pr\u00e9vot as team still without answers on underwhelming Tour de France Femmes"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/uobSt3ptDVj6upQErEEpmX-2000-80.jpg&#8221;]<\/p>\n<article class=\"m-0 box-border flex flex-row items-center pr-2.5 gap-[15px] w-[278px] h-20 flex-none upnext-article-divider\" role=\"listitem\" aria-label=\"Recommended article 1 of 3\">\n<div class=\"relative flex-none w-20 h-20\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QD3q7s5hviXqumft5i8buM-160-80.jpg.webp 160w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QD3q7s5hviXqumft5i8buM-80-80.jpg.webp 80w\" sizes=\"80px\" \/><\/p>\n<div class=\"flex items-center justify-center absolute w-4 h-6 left-0 top-0 bg-white\/90 flex-none z-[1]\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><span class=\"font-normal text-base leading-[17px] tracking-[1.3px] uppercase text-black flex-none\">1<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"flex flex-col items-center justify-center gap-1.5 w-[173px] h-20 flex-none\">\n<p class=\"font-article-heading font-medium text-base leading-[21px] text-gray-800 w-[173px] line-clamp-3 group-hover:underline\">\n                                    As it happened: Mont Ventoux inspires a historic solo win and shakes-up the 2026 Tour de France Femmes GC battle\n                                <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article class=\"m-0 box-border flex flex-row items-center pr-2.5 gap-[15px] w-[278px] h-20 flex-none upnext-article-divider\" role=\"listitem\" aria-label=\"Recommended article 2 of 3\">\n<div class=\"relative flex-none w-20 h-20\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JoiK5WT2eSocGZujsCcdaZ-160-80.png.webp 160w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JoiK5WT2eSocGZujsCcdaZ-80-80.png.webp 80w\" sizes=\"80px\" \/><\/p>\n<div class=\"flex items-center justify-center absolute w-[18px] h-6 left-0 top-0 bg-white\/90 flex-none z-[1]\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><span class=\"font-normal text-base leading-[17px] tracking-[1.3px] uppercase text-black flex-none\">2<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"flex flex-col items-center justify-center gap-1.5 w-[173px] h-20 flex-none\">\n<p class=\"font-article-heading font-medium text-base leading-[21px] text-gray-800 w-[173px] line-clamp-3 group-hover:underline\">\n                                    The GC standings at the Tour de France Femmes 2026 \u2013 Yellow jersey changes hands on dramatic Mont Ventoux stage, setting up spectacular final weekend\n                                <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article class=\"m-0 box-border flex flex-row items-center pr-2.5 gap-[15px] w-[278px] h-20 flex-none\" role=\"listitem\" aria-label=\"Recommended article 3 of 3\">\n<div class=\"relative flex-none w-20 h-20\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/eKTTfguGUFLfSH7XH62BYL-160-80.jpg.webp 160w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/eKTTfguGUFLfSH7XH62BYL-80-80.jpg.webp 80w\" sizes=\"80px\" \/><\/p>\n<div class=\"flex items-center justify-center absolute w-[18px] h-6 left-0 top-0 bg-white\/90 flex-none z-[1]\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><span class=\"font-normal text-base leading-[17px] tracking-[1.3px] uppercase text-black flex-none\">3<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"flex flex-col items-center justify-center gap-1.5 w-[173px] h-20 flex-none\">\n<p class=\"font-article-heading font-medium text-base leading-[21px] text-gray-800 w-[173px] line-clamp-3 group-hover:underline\">\n                                    As it happened: Tour de France Femmes stage 6 sparks attacks, a GC chase and close sprint finish\n                                <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article class=\"page-content-onecol flex-1\nnews-article article\n\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"widget-area-group widget-area-group-2col flex flex-wrap box-border\">\n<div id=\"widgetArea16\" class=\"widget-area basis-full md:basis-2\/3 widget-area-g-md-vp-2-3 widget-area-g-lg-vp-2-3 widget-area-g-xl-vp-2-3 page-widget-area-16\">\n<div data-widget-type=\"hero\" id=\"hero\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-hero widget-hero widget-hero-hero widget-hero widget-hero-fter-news\">\n<div class=\"news-article\">\n<header data-component-name=\"Article:Hero\">\n<nav class=\"breadcrumb\" aria-label=\"Breadcrumbs\">\n<ol>\n<li>\nPro Cycling\n<\/li>\n<li>\nRacing\n<\/li>\n<li>\nWomen&#8217;s Cycling\n<\/li>\n<li>\nRoad\n<\/li>\n<li>\nTour de France Femmes\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/nav>\n<h1>No fairytale Mont Ventoux comeback for Pauline Ferrand-Pr\u00e9vot as team still without answers on underwhelming Tour de France Femmes<\/h1>\n<div class=\"byline-social\">\n<div class=\"vds-byline-block flex flex-row flex-nowrap my-1.5 gap-2 text-left items-start justify-start\" data-component-name=\"Article:BylineBlock\">\n<p>News<\/p>\n<div class=\"my-auto vds-simple-byline\"><span class=\"inline-block vds-author\"><br \/>\nBy<br \/>\nMatilda Price <\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"flex gap-1 vds-byline-with-avatar__meta\"><span class=\"vds-date block font-normal tracking-normal normal-case text-xs\"><br \/>\nPublished<br \/>\n<time data-component-name=\"UI:DateTime\" datetime=\"2026-08-07T18:58:05Z\" class=\"relative-date\"><br \/>\n7 August 2026<br \/>\n<\/time><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"strapline\">&#8216;Looking at last year&#8217;s programme and this year&#8217;s programme doesn&#8217;t give us any insight for this moment, but we will do it, of course, afterwards&#8217; says team manager Rutger Thijssen<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<aside class=\"text-gray-700 flex items-center mx-0 my-5 p-0 justify-start text-left\" id=\"affiliate-disclaimer\" data-component-name=\"AffiliateDisclaimer\" data-hawk-message=\"Affiliate disclaimer removed because hawk deemed there are no affiliate links on this page\">\n<p class=\"text-[color:var(--affiliate-disclaimer--text-color,inherit)] mb-2 text-[length:var(--affiliate-disclaimer--font-size,0.75rem)] leading-[18px] md:text-[13px] [&amp;&gt;a]:text-inherit [&amp;&gt;a]:underline\">\nWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here\u2019s how it works.\n<\/p>\n<\/aside>\n<\/header>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-widget-type=\"contentparsed\" id=\"content\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-contentparsed widget-content widget-contentparsed-content widget-content-parsed widget-content-parsed-content_document \">\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<section class=\"content-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"box less-space hero-image-wrapper\">\n<figure class=\"mb-0\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/uobSt3ptDVj6upQErEEpmX-1920-80.jpg.webp 1920w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/uobSt3ptDVj6upQErEEpmX-1600-80.jpg.webp 1600w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/uobSt3ptDVj6upQErEEpmX-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/uobSt3ptDVj6upQErEEpmX-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/uobSt3ptDVj6upQErEEpmX-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/uobSt3ptDVj6upQErEEpmX-750-80.jpg.webp 750w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/uobSt3ptDVj6upQErEEpmX-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/uobSt3ptDVj6upQErEEpmX-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/uobSt3ptDVj6upQErEEpmX-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 600px, 100vw\" \/><figcaption class=\"font-article-copy text-(--image--text--color) font-article-copy mt-2\"><span class=\"caption-text font-article-copy\">Pauline Ferrand-Prevot<\/span><span class=\"credit font-article-copy\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"article-body\" class=\"text-copy bodyCopy auto paywall-locker\">\n<div data-analytics-id=\"utility-bar\" id=\"utility-bar\" class=\"font-ui-heading flex justify-between items-center py-2 border-t border-b border-gray-300 border-solid mb-5 mx-auto\" data-component-name=\"UtilityBar\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"utility-bar\">\n<div class=\"flex gap-2 text-[#333] subcontainer\">\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<div data-component-name=\"Social:Dropdown\" role=\"menu\" id=\"utilitybar__dropdown--share\" aria-labelledby=\"utilitybar__button--share\" class=\"absolute left-0 top-full w-44 bg-white rounded-md shadow-md border border-neutral-200 z-[9996] list-none m-0 py-2 px-3 border-solid\">\n<ul class=\"m-0!\">\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>Facebook<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>X<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>Pinterest<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>Email<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-share-this-article\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nShare this article\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\"><span class=\"ml-1 inline-flex h-5 px-2 shrink-0 items-center justify-center self-center overflow-hidden whitespace-nowrap rounded-[10px] bg-primary-500 text-[11px] leading-none font-ui-heading font-semibold text-white\">0<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-join-the-conversation\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nJoin the conversation\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"flex gap-2 text-[#333] subcontainer\">\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<p>Follow us<\/p>\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-add-us-as-a-preferred-source-on-google\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nAdd us as a preferred source on Google\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-subscribe-to-our-newsletter\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nSubscribe to our newsletter\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p id=\"elk-9af23624-928d-11f1-9131-ddfc94fd1b41\">Defending champion Pauline Ferrand-Pr\u00e9vot (Visma-Lease a Bike) may have already conceded that her Tour de France Femmes GC bid was likely over a few days ago, but she was still hoping to salvage a result from this race. Unfortunately, after a punishing day on Mont Ventoux, she is still waiting for that comeback.<\/p>\n<p>Despite vowing to keep going in search of success here, and many pointing to Ventoux as a long climb that might suit her abilities even if she&#8217;s been struggling with the punchier efforts, it wasn&#8217;t a much better day for the Frenchwoman, who was one of the first major riders to be dropped at the base of the climb.<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-9af23624-928d-11f1-9131-ddfc94fd1b41-2\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">She slid out the back of the favourites group before her teammates Femke de Vries and Marion Bunel, eventually finishing 18th on the stage, nearly 11 minutes down on winner Kasia Niewiadoma-Phinney (Canyon-SRAM).<\/p>\n<div class=\"my-6 w-full overflow-hidden rounded-[10px] lg:my-8\" data-component-name=\"JwPlayer:Carousel\" data-jwp-carousel data-jwp-carousel-payload=\"{&quot;ids&quot;:{&quot;playerID&quot;:&quot;jYDCcabO&quot;,&quot;searchPlaylistID&quot;:&quot;gwjdoYHD&quot;,&quot;divID&quot;:&quot;botr_gwjdoYHD_jYDCcabO_div&quot;,&quot;fallbackPlaylistID&quot;:&quot;gwjdoYHD&quot;,&quot;fallbackDivID&quot;:&quot;botr_gwjdoYHD_jYDCcabO_div&quot;,&quot;key&quot;:&quot;X9\/mXVGac0NphghLH9hZaqWA5d3dhAM\/Ih07grnEyMLjuO2E&quot;,&quot;tintLogo&quot;:true,&quot;useSearchPlaylist&quot;:false,&quot;enabled&quot;:true},&quot;signPostingEnabled&quot;:true,&quot;signPostingLinkEnabled&quot;:true,&quot;waitForAdLoad&quot;:false,&quot;hidePlayerOnDesktop&quot;:false,&quot;hidePlayerOnMobile&quot;:false,&quot;hidePlayerOnTablet&quot;:false}\">\n<div class=\"flex flex-nowrap items-center justify-between gap-3 bg-zinc-900 px-[14px] py-3\" data-jwp-carousel-header>\n<div class=\"flex min-w-0 shrink items-center\"><span class=\"inline-flex items-center gap-1.5 text-sm font-article-heading capitalize leading-5 text-white whitespace-nowrap\"><span class=\"jwp-carousel-title-desktop\">Latest Videos From<\/span><span class=\"jwp-carousel-brand\">Cyclingnews<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"min-h-[44px] bg-zinc-900 px-[14px] py-3\" data-jwp-carousel-signposting><a class=\"invisible block truncate text-sm font-bold leading-5 text-white underline decoration-solid underline-offset-2\" data-jwp-carousel-signposting-link href target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span data-jwp-carousel-signposting-title>Watch full video here: <\/span><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Even if the team may have been holding on hope for something different, such a performance is not a great surprise, and there was no particularly stinging disappointment as team manager Rutger Thijssen spoke to <em>Cyclingnews <\/em>after the stage.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;We started with a plan and an idea, and that went pretty [well]. We wanted to start on the foot of Mont Ventoux, on the steepest part, with three riders, and that&#8217;s what we were able to succeed in there,&#8221; he said.<\/p>\n<aside data-component-name=\"Recirculation:ArticleRiver\" data-recirculation-type=\"inline\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"Trending Bar\" data-nosnippet class=\"clear-both pt-2 pb-0 mb-4\"><span class=\"\n            flex\n            after:content-[&apos;&apos;] after:flex-1 after:ml-4 after:my-[0.7rem] after:border-t after:border-solid after:border-t-[#ccc]\n            before:content-[&apos;&apos;] before:flex-1 before:mr-4 before:my-[0.7rem] before:border-t before:border-solid before:border-t-[#ccc]\n            font-article-heading pb-0 text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,1em)] uppercase sm:text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,0.875em)] font-bold\n        \"><br \/>\n            You may like<br \/>\n        <\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"flex flex-col gap-0 m-0 max-w-full\">\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-1\" id=\"recirculation-inline-1\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-1\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-1\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6C5sRAXsM5w5iCjy48sayf-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6C5sRAXsM5w5iCjy48sayf-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">Visma-Lease a Bike rewrite Tour de France Femmes GC strategy after Pauline Ferrand-Pr\u00e9vot loses more time<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-2\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-2\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-2\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/33tMEpLPMwZ26kuvmooFUX-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/33tMEpLPMwZ26kuvmooFUX-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">&#8216;I think it&#8217;s over&#8217; \u2013 Pauline Ferrand-Pr\u00e9vot admits defeat in Tour de France Femmes title defence after struggles on stage 5<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ccc] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-3\" id=\"recirculation-inline-3\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-3\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-3\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xSv3MTVWq7Tk9yzPm3y3Zk-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xSv3MTVWq7Tk9yzPm3y3Zk-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">&#8216;I quite like this scenario of having to go after them rather than being the favourite&#8217; \u2013 Pauline Ferrand-Pr\u00e9vot down but not out after Tour de France Femmes time trial<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;Then in the end it is a very fair climb in which everybody falls where she needs to be or where she belongs at the moment. And that&#8217;s what it is for today.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Ferrand-Pr\u00e9vot has been insistent that she doesn&#8217;t necessarily feel bad in herself at this race, indeed recording a personal best 10-minute power earlier this week, but Thijssen seemed to cast some doubt on the comparison with last year.<\/p>\n<div id=\"slice-container-newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-pGKpQBxTkWyRtFLhBybSaV\" class=\"slice-container newsletter-inbodyContent-slice newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-pGKpQBxTkWyRtFLhBybSaV slice-container-newsletterForm\">\n<div data-hydrate=\"true\" class=\"newsletter-form__wrapper newsletter-form__wrapper--inbodyContent\">\n<div class=\"newsletter-form__container\">\n<section class=\"newsletter-form__top-bar\">\n<div class=\"newsletter-form__header\">Get The Leadout Newsletter<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section class=\"newsletter-form__main-section\">\n<p class=\"newsletter-form__strapline\">The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!<\/p>\n<footer class=\"newsletter-form__footer \">By submitting your information you agree to the Terms &amp; Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.<\/footer>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;That&#8217;s something we have to look into with the numbers, of course, if that&#8217;s really the situation,&#8221; he said, before explaining perhaps why the rider and team have been focusing on the positives anyway.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;On the other hand, you want to keep the morale high, so you start positive with a good mindset, and you make a plan, and you execute the plan and in the end you probably either feel the legs or not the legs that you need to have in that moment. So that&#8217;s what it is, and in the end others are better, faster, stronger.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Those numbers Thijssen speaks of haven&#8217;t been dissected yet, as he feels anything they might learn at this stage won&#8217;t be beneficial for the rest of the race \u2013 Ferrand-Pr\u00e9vot&#8217;s form is the result of months of training, and won&#8217;t be changed overnight.<\/p>\n<aside data-component-name=\"Recirculation:ArticleRiver\" data-recirculation-type=\"inline\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"Trending Bar\" data-nosnippet class=\"clear-both pt-2 pb-0 mb-4\"><span class=\"\n            flex\n            after:content-[&apos;&apos;] after:flex-1 after:ml-4 after:my-[0.7rem] after:border-t after:border-solid after:border-t-[#ccc]\n            before:content-[&apos;&apos;] before:flex-1 before:mr-4 before:my-[0.7rem] before:border-t before:border-solid before:border-t-[#ccc]\n            font-article-heading pb-0 text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,1em)] uppercase sm:text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,0.875em)] font-bold\n        \"><br \/>\n            What to read next<br \/>\n        <\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"flex flex-col gap-0 m-0 max-w-full\">\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-1\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2-1\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-1\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-1\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4hsSvfGBK6Wa9FSH8hKYwB-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4hsSvfGBK6Wa9FSH8hKYwB-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">&#8216;So many riders now are able to ride at a high level, it&#8217;s crazy&#8217; \u2013 Pauline Ferrand-Pr\u00e9vot reveals she hit a power PB as she was being put to the sword at Tour de France Femmes<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-2\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2-2\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-2\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-2\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/mY88DqJoWPkLxJD69Ugxja-250-80.png.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/mY88DqJoWPkLxJD69Ugxja-150-80.png.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">On the back foot: defending champion Pauline Ferrand-Pr\u00e9vot suffers major GC setback in Tour de France Femmes time trial<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ccc] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-3\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2-3\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-3\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-3\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/MaYN5X83X7zFgoHKdrr7da-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/MaYN5X83X7zFgoHKdrr7da-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">&#8216;Last year&#8217;s victory doesn&#8217;t guarantee anything&#8217; \u2013 Pauline Ferrand-Pr\u00e9vot set to defend Tour de France Femmes title with balanced Visma support squad<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;Not yet, and there is no need to do that right now,&#8221; he said about digging deeper into the data or potential problems. &#8220;We are still here for two days of racing, so we need to make a plan, that includes Pauline. Looking at last year&#8217;s programme and this year&#8217;s programme doesn&#8217;t give us any insight for this moment, but we will do it, of course, afterwards.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">As for a specific on what the team might hope or aim to get out of these last two days of racing, Thijssen wouldn&#8217;t nail down one goal, saying just &#8220;A good result with the team. We always aim for the highest possible, and we&#8217;ll see what that is&#8221;.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">On Friday, their best-placed finisher was Marion Bunel in 11th, and they have Femke de Vries looking strong, as well as an on-form Lieke Nooijen who pushed Marlen Reusser close in the time trial. So although Ferrand-Pr\u00e9vot&#8217;s title defence has been something of a flop, the team still have good reason to stick to that positive outlook for the final two days.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;Marion did a very good climb on Mont Ventoux. We know that she can do this and as she puts her mind to something, Marion is able to do a little bit more. We are very pleased to see how she performed today, and that&#8217;s the positive part of today,&#8221; Thijssen said.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;We have definitely good riders, the team is good, the team is fresh, so there&#8217;s no need to panic.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-9af2373c-928d-11f1-a1b7-4bc38f0f1fa4\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\"><em><strong>Support our unrivalled coverage of the Tour de France Femmes and women&#8217;s cycling by subscribing to Cyclingnews. In return, you get unlimited access to high-quality journalism, with breaking news, race analysis, and expert insight from inside the women&#8217;s peloton. Plus, the Cyclingnews app lets you follow the action wherever you go! <\/strong><\/em><u><em><strong>Join today.<\/strong><\/em><\/u><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"slice-container-authorBio-pGKpQBxTkWyRtFLhBybSaV\" class=\"slice-container slice-author-bio authorBio-pGKpQBxTkWyRtFLhBybSaV slice-container-authorBio\">\n<div class=\"author author__default-layout author--separator author--collapsible\" data-hydrate=\"true\">\n<div class=\"author__header\">\n<div class=\"author__heading\">\n<div class=\"author__name\">Matilda Price<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__role\">Assistant Features Editor<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__bio-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"author__biography\">\n<p>Matilda is an NCTJ-qualified journalist based in the UK who joined <em>Cyclingnews <\/em>in March 2025. Prior to that, she worked as the Racing News Editor at <em>GCN<\/em>, and extensively as a freelancer contributing to <em>Cyclingnews, Cycling Weekly, Velo, Rouleur, Escape Collective, Red Bull <\/em>and more. She has reported on the ground at all of the biggest events on the calendar, including the men&#8217;s and women&#8217;s Tours de France, the Giro d&#8217;Italia, the Vuelta a Espana, the Spring Classics and the World Championships. She has particular experience and expertise in women&#8217;s cycling, and women&#8217;s sport in general. She is a graduate of modern languages and sports journalism.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<div class=\"relative max-w-[1070px] viafoura-twig-component mt-6 mx-4 lg:mx-0\" data-component-name=\"Viafoura:Comments\" data-nosnippet data-community-guidelines-text=\"&lt;p class=&apos;vfcustom-community-guidelines&apos;&gt;Please follow our &lt;a href=&quot;https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/about\/#section-community-guidelines&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;community guidelines&lt;\/a&gt;.&lt;\/p&gt;\" data-join-the-conversation-text=\"Join the Conversation\">\n<div class=\"absolute top-0 left-0 w-full h-full flex items-center justify-center z-50 bg-white\/90 border-1 rounded-b-[var(--comment-widget-border-radius,0)]\">\n<div class=\"p-2 text-center\">\n<p class=\"mb-3 text-lg!\">You must confirm your public display name before commenting<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-3 text-sm!\">Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<section class=\"mx-2 my-5 sm:mx-0\">\n<aside class=\"w-full\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-stacked\">\n<div data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-adviser:hybrid\">\n<div class=\"text-white py-4 px-3 mb-4 bg-[#333] uppercase font-bold custom-header-styles\">Read more<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid grid-cols-1 gap-4 mt-4 mb-5\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6C5sRAXsM5w5iCjy48sayf-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6C5sRAXsM5w5iCjy48sayf-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6C5sRAXsM5w5iCjy48sayf-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6C5sRAXsM5w5iCjy48sayf-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6C5sRAXsM5w5iCjy48sayf-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Visma-Lease a Bike rewrite Tour de France Femmes GC strategy after Pauline Ferrand-Pr\u00e9vot loses more time<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/33tMEpLPMwZ26kuvmooFUX-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/33tMEpLPMwZ26kuvmooFUX-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/33tMEpLPMwZ26kuvmooFUX-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/33tMEpLPMwZ26kuvmooFUX-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/33tMEpLPMwZ26kuvmooFUX-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;I think it&#8217;s over&#8217; \u2013 Pauline Ferrand-Pr\u00e9vot admits defeat in Tour de France Femmes title defence after struggles on stage 5<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xSv3MTVWq7Tk9yzPm3y3Zk-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xSv3MTVWq7Tk9yzPm3y3Zk-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xSv3MTVWq7Tk9yzPm3y3Zk-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xSv3MTVWq7Tk9yzPm3y3Zk-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xSv3MTVWq7Tk9yzPm3y3Zk-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;I quite like this scenario of having to go after them rather than being the favourite&#8217; \u2013 Pauline Ferrand-Pr\u00e9vot down but not out after Tour de France Femmes time trial<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4hsSvfGBK6Wa9FSH8hKYwB-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4hsSvfGBK6Wa9FSH8hKYwB-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4hsSvfGBK6Wa9FSH8hKYwB-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4hsSvfGBK6Wa9FSH8hKYwB-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4hsSvfGBK6Wa9FSH8hKYwB-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;So many riders now are able to ride at a high level, it&#8217;s crazy&#8217; \u2013 Pauline Ferrand-Pr\u00e9vot reveals she hit a power PB as she was being put to the sword at Tour de France Femmes<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/mY88DqJoWPkLxJD69Ugxja-840-80.png.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/mY88DqJoWPkLxJD69Ugxja-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/mY88DqJoWPkLxJD69Ugxja-500-80.png.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/mY88DqJoWPkLxJD69Ugxja-450-80.png.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/mY88DqJoWPkLxJD69Ugxja-320-80.png.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">On the back foot: defending champion Pauline Ferrand-Pr\u00e9vot suffers major GC setback in Tour de France Femmes time trial<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/MaYN5X83X7zFgoHKdrr7da-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/MaYN5X83X7zFgoHKdrr7da-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/MaYN5X83X7zFgoHKdrr7da-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/MaYN5X83X7zFgoHKdrr7da-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/MaYN5X83X7zFgoHKdrr7da-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;Last year&#8217;s victory doesn&#8217;t guarantee anything&#8217; \u2013 Pauline Ferrand-Pr\u00e9vot set to defend Tour de France Femmes title with balanced Visma support squad<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside class=\"w-full\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-stacked\">\n<div data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-solr:latest-category\">\n<div class=\"text-white py-4 px-3 mb-4 bg-[#333] uppercase font-bold custom-header-styles\">Latest in Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid grid-cols-1 gap-4 mt-4 mb-5\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/yvCHiXqeiUkPH3NqNbbshH-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/yvCHiXqeiUkPH3NqNbbshH-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/yvCHiXqeiUkPH3NqNbbshH-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/yvCHiXqeiUkPH3NqNbbshH-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/yvCHiXqeiUkPH3NqNbbshH-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Defending champion Pauline Ferrand-Pr\u00e9vot will not start stage 8 of the Tour de France Femmes<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/oyseJncEBrBMTh4b73FkZd-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/oyseJncEBrBMTh4b73FkZd-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/oyseJncEBrBMTh4b73FkZd-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/oyseJncEBrBMTh4b73FkZd-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/oyseJncEBrBMTh4b73FkZd-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Charlotte Kool leaves the Tour de France Femmes after finishing outside the time limit on the punishing stage to Mont Ventoux<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RuyNbGWyNRynWWLuycEZQJ-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RuyNbGWyNRynWWLuycEZQJ-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RuyNbGWyNRynWWLuycEZQJ-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RuyNbGWyNRynWWLuycEZQJ-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RuyNbGWyNRynWWLuycEZQJ-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Kasia Niewiadoma-Phinney reigns as queen of Mont Ventoux, but the Tour de France Femmes crown is still up for grabs\u00a0\u2013 Analysis<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hiumCdXDkdzGYMEUipAvfU-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hiumCdXDkdzGYMEUipAvfU-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hiumCdXDkdzGYMEUipAvfU-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hiumCdXDkdzGYMEUipAvfU-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hiumCdXDkdzGYMEUipAvfU-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;A payback for all the second and third places&#8217; \u2013 Kasia Niewiadoma-Phinney pulls out all the stops to move within reach of second Tour de France Femmes title<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/SRLbqp8KM5CVHb2V3mnxMH-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/SRLbqp8KM5CVHb2V3mnxMH-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/SRLbqp8KM5CVHb2V3mnxMH-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/SRLbqp8KM5CVHb2V3mnxMH-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/SRLbqp8KM5CVHb2V3mnxMH-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;It just became a massive ball of stress&#8217; \u2013 Paula Blasi and UAE Team L&#8217;IMAD united on Mont Ventoux after challenging week at Tour de France Femmes<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/9zH6KjHaJuSQvGMxhijrka-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/9zH6KjHaJuSQvGMxhijrka-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/9zH6KjHaJuSQvGMxhijrka-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/9zH6KjHaJuSQvGMxhijrka-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/9zH6KjHaJuSQvGMxhijrka-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Leadville Trail 100 MTB<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside class=\"w-full\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-stacked\">\n<div data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-solr:latest-articletype\">\n<div class=\"text-white py-4 px-3 mb-4 bg-[#333] uppercase font-bold custom-header-styles\">Latest in News<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid grid-cols-1 gap-4 mt-4 mb-5\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/yvCHiXqeiUkPH3NqNbbshH-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/yvCHiXqeiUkPH3NqNbbshH-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/yvCHiXqeiUkPH3NqNbbshH-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/yvCHiXqeiUkPH3NqNbbshH-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/yvCHiXqeiUkPH3NqNbbshH-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Defending champion Pauline Ferrand-Pr\u00e9vot will not start stage 8 of the Tour de France Femmes<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/oyseJncEBrBMTh4b73FkZd-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/oyseJncEBrBMTh4b73FkZd-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/oyseJncEBrBMTh4b73FkZd-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/oyseJncEBrBMTh4b73FkZd-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/oyseJncEBrBMTh4b73FkZd-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Charlotte Kool leaves the Tour de France Femmes after finishing outside the time limit on the punishing stage to Mont Ventoux<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/YQSqFTNdhiaitpGuB4utAX-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/YQSqFTNdhiaitpGuB4utAX-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/YQSqFTNdhiaitpGuB4utAX-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/YQSqFTNdhiaitpGuB4utAX-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/YQSqFTNdhiaitpGuB4utAX-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;We were hoping to make more of a dent&#8217; \u2013 Mont Ventoux effort leaves C\u00e9drine Kerbaol moving up Tour de France Femmes GC but still aiming higher<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hiumCdXDkdzGYMEUipAvfU-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hiumCdXDkdzGYMEUipAvfU-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hiumCdXDkdzGYMEUipAvfU-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hiumCdXDkdzGYMEUipAvfU-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hiumCdXDkdzGYMEUipAvfU-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;A payback for all the second and third places&#8217; \u2013 Kasia Niewiadoma-Phinney pulls out all the stops to move within reach of second Tour de France Femmes title<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/SRLbqp8KM5CVHb2V3mnxMH-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/SRLbqp8KM5CVHb2V3mnxMH-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/SRLbqp8KM5CVHb2V3mnxMH-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/SRLbqp8KM5CVHb2V3mnxMH-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/SRLbqp8KM5CVHb2V3mnxMH-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;It just became a massive ball of stress&#8217; \u2013 Paula Blasi and UAE Team L&#8217;IMAD united on Mont Ventoux after challenging week at Tour de France Femmes<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/YbJTLfrS6PRMEczmLr7cGN-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/YbJTLfrS6PRMEczmLr7cGN-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/YbJTLfrS6PRMEczmLr7cGN-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/YbJTLfrS6PRMEczmLr7cGN-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/YbJTLfrS6PRMEczmLr7cGN-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;I really should have closed the gap straight away&#8217; \u2013 Demi Vollering harbours Mont Ventoux regrets as Niewiadoma-Phinney soars into Tour de France Femmes lead<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"widgetArea17\" class=\"widget-area md:basis-1\/3 widget-area-g-md-vp-1-3 widget-area-g-lg-vp-1-3 widget-area-g-xl-vp-1-3 page-widget-area-17\">\n<div data-widget-type=\"dynamic\" id=\"popular-data\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-dynamic widget-popular-data widget-dynamic-popular-data widget-dynamic-fter-popular-box\">\n<div class=\"wdn-fte-pb pos-relative space-t20\n\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"slice-container popular-box-slice\">\n<section class=\"popular-box\" data-component-name=\"Slice:PopularBox\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__label\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__label__tab popular-box__label__tab--active\" role=\"heading\">\nLATEST ARTICLES\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<ol class=\"popular-box__articles-list popular-box__articles-list--active\">\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__image-wrapper\">\n<div>\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/yvCHiXqeiUkPH3NqNbbshH-1280-80.jpg.webp 1280w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/yvCHiXqeiUkPH3NqNbbshH-720-80.jpg.webp 720w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/yvCHiXqeiUkPH3NqNbbshH-640-80.jpg.webp 640w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/yvCHiXqeiUkPH3NqNbbshH-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"99vw\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">1<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">\n<p>Defending champion Pauline Ferrand-Pr\u00e9vot will not start stage 8 of the Tour de France Femmes<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">2<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">\n<p>Tour de France Femmes stage 8 LIVE: Longest stage of the race may suit sprinters or a breakaway<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">3<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">\n<p>Charlotte Kool leaves the Tour de France Femmes after finishing outside the time limit on the punishing stage to Mont Ventoux<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">4<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">\n<p>&#8216;We were hoping to make more of a dent&#8217; \u2013 Mont Ventoux effort leaves C\u00e9drine Kerbaol moving up Tour de France Femmes GC but still aiming higher<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">5<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">\n<p>Kasia Niewiadoma-Phinney reigns as queen of Mont Ventoux, but the Tour de France Femmes crown is still up for grabs\u00a0\u2013 Analysis<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article class=\"page-content-onecol flex-1\nnews-article article\n\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"widget-area-group widget-area-group-2col flex flex-wrap box-border\">\n<div id=\"widgetArea16\" class=\"widget-area basis-full md:basis-2\/3 widget-area-g-md-vp-2-3 widget-area-g-lg-vp-2-3 widget-area-g-xl-vp-2-3 page-widget-area-16\">\n<div data-widget-type=\"hero\" id=\"hero\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-hero widget-hero widget-hero-hero widget-hero widget-hero-fter-news\">\n<div class=\"news-article\">\n<header data-component-name=\"Article:Hero\">\n<nav class=\"breadcrumb\" aria-label=\"Breadcrumbs\">\n<ol>\n<li>\nPro Cycling\n<\/li>\n<li>\nRacing\n<\/li>\n<li>\nWomen&#8217;s Cycling\n<\/li>\n<li>\nRoad\n<\/li>\n<li>\nTour de France Femmes\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/nav>\n<h1>No fairytale Mont Ventoux comeback for Pauline Ferrand-Pr\u00e9vot as team still without answers on underwhelming Tour de France Femmes<\/h1>\n<div class=\"byline-social\">\n<div class=\"vds-byline-block flex flex-row flex-nowrap my-1.5 gap-2 text-left items-start justify-start\" data-component-name=\"Article:BylineBlock\">\n<p>News<\/p>\n<div class=\"my-auto vds-simple-byline\"><span class=\"inline-block vds-author\"><br \/>\nBy<br \/>\nMatilda Price <\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"flex gap-1 vds-byline-with-avatar__meta\"><span class=\"vds-date block font-normal tracking-normal normal-case text-xs\"><br \/>\nPublished<br \/>\n<time data-component-name=\"UI:DateTime\" datetime=\"2026-08-07T18:58:05Z\" class=\"relative-date\"><br \/>\n7 August 2026<br \/>\n<\/time><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"strapline\">&#8216;Looking at last year&#8217;s programme and this year&#8217;s programme doesn&#8217;t give us any insight for this moment, but we will do it, of course, afterwards&#8217; says team manager Rutger Thijssen<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<aside class=\"text-gray-700 flex items-center mx-0 my-5 p-0 justify-start text-left\" id=\"affiliate-disclaimer\" data-component-name=\"AffiliateDisclaimer\" data-hawk-message=\"Affiliate disclaimer removed because hawk deemed there are no affiliate links on this page\">\n<p class=\"text-[color:var(--affiliate-disclaimer--text-color,inherit)] mb-2 text-[length:var(--affiliate-disclaimer--font-size,0.75rem)] leading-[18px] md:text-[13px] [&amp;&gt;a]:text-inherit [&amp;&gt;a]:underline\">\nWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here\u2019s how it works.\n<\/p>\n<\/aside>\n<\/header>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-widget-type=\"contentparsed\" id=\"content\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-contentparsed widget-content widget-contentparsed-content widget-content-parsed widget-content-parsed-content_document \">\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<section class=\"content-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"box less-space hero-image-wrapper\">\n<figure class=\"mb-0\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/uobSt3ptDVj6upQErEEpmX-1920-80.jpg.webp 1920w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/uobSt3ptDVj6upQErEEpmX-1600-80.jpg.webp 1600w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/uobSt3ptDVj6upQErEEpmX-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/uobSt3ptDVj6upQErEEpmX-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/uobSt3ptDVj6upQErEEpmX-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/uobSt3ptDVj6upQErEEpmX-750-80.jpg.webp 750w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/uobSt3ptDVj6upQErEEpmX-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/uobSt3ptDVj6upQErEEpmX-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/uobSt3ptDVj6upQErEEpmX-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 600px, 100vw\" \/><figcaption class=\"font-article-copy text-(--image--text--color) font-article-copy mt-2\"><span class=\"caption-text font-article-copy\">Pauline Ferrand-Prevot<\/span><span class=\"credit font-article-copy\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"article-body\" class=\"text-copy bodyCopy auto paywall-locker\">\n<div data-analytics-id=\"utility-bar\" id=\"utility-bar\" class=\"font-ui-heading flex justify-between items-center py-2 border-t border-b border-gray-300 border-solid mb-5 mx-auto\" data-component-name=\"UtilityBar\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"utility-bar\">\n<div class=\"flex gap-2 text-[#333] subcontainer\">\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<div data-component-name=\"Social:Dropdown\" role=\"menu\" id=\"utilitybar__dropdown--share\" aria-labelledby=\"utilitybar__button--share\" class=\"absolute left-0 top-full w-44 bg-white rounded-md shadow-md border border-neutral-200 z-[9996] list-none m-0 py-2 px-3 border-solid\">\n<ul class=\"m-0!\">\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>Facebook<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>X<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>Pinterest<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>Email<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-share-this-article\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nShare this article\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\"><span class=\"ml-1 inline-flex h-5 px-2 shrink-0 items-center justify-center self-center overflow-hidden whitespace-nowrap rounded-[10px] bg-primary-500 text-[11px] leading-none font-ui-heading font-semibold text-white\">0<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-join-the-conversation\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nJoin the conversation\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"flex gap-2 text-[#333] subcontainer\">\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<p>Follow us<\/p>\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-add-us-as-a-preferred-source-on-google\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nAdd us as a preferred source on Google\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-subscribe-to-our-newsletter\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nSubscribe to our newsletter\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p id=\"elk-9af23624-928d-11f1-9131-ddfc94fd1b41\">Defending champion Pauline Ferrand-Pr\u00e9vot (Visma-Lease a Bike) may have already conceded that her Tour de France Femmes GC bid was likely over a few days ago, but she was still hoping to salvage a result from this race. Unfortunately, after a punishing day on Mont Ventoux, she is still waiting for that comeback.<\/p>\n<p>Despite vowing to keep going in search of success here, and many pointing to Ventoux as a long climb that might suit her abilities even if she&#8217;s been struggling with the punchier efforts, it wasn&#8217;t a much better day for the Frenchwoman, who was one of the first major riders to be dropped at the base of the climb.<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-9af23624-928d-11f1-9131-ddfc94fd1b41-2\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">She slid out the back of the favourites group before her teammates Femke de Vries and Marion Bunel, eventually finishing 18th on the stage, nearly 11 minutes down on winner Kasia Niewiadoma-Phinney (Canyon-SRAM).<\/p>\n<div class=\"my-6 w-full overflow-hidden rounded-[10px] lg:my-8\" data-component-name=\"JwPlayer:Carousel\" data-jwp-carousel data-jwp-carousel-payload=\"{&quot;ids&quot;:{&quot;playerID&quot;:&quot;jYDCcabO&quot;,&quot;searchPlaylistID&quot;:&quot;gwjdoYHD&quot;,&quot;divID&quot;:&quot;botr_gwjdoYHD_jYDCcabO_div&quot;,&quot;fallbackPlaylistID&quot;:&quot;gwjdoYHD&quot;,&quot;fallbackDivID&quot;:&quot;botr_gwjdoYHD_jYDCcabO_div&quot;,&quot;key&quot;:&quot;X9\/mXVGac0NphghLH9hZaqWA5d3dhAM\/Ih07grnEyMLjuO2E&quot;,&quot;tintLogo&quot;:true,&quot;useSearchPlaylist&quot;:false,&quot;enabled&quot;:true},&quot;signPostingEnabled&quot;:true,&quot;signPostingLinkEnabled&quot;:true,&quot;waitForAdLoad&quot;:false,&quot;hidePlayerOnDesktop&quot;:false,&quot;hidePlayerOnMobile&quot;:false,&quot;hidePlayerOnTablet&quot;:false}\">\n<div class=\"flex flex-nowrap items-center justify-between gap-3 bg-zinc-900 px-[14px] py-3\" data-jwp-carousel-header>\n<div class=\"flex min-w-0 shrink items-center\"><span class=\"inline-flex items-center gap-1.5 text-sm font-article-heading capitalize leading-5 text-white whitespace-nowrap\"><span class=\"jwp-carousel-title-desktop\">Latest Videos From<\/span><span class=\"jwp-carousel-brand\">Cyclingnews<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"min-h-[44px] bg-zinc-900 px-[14px] py-3\" data-jwp-carousel-signposting><a class=\"invisible block truncate text-sm font-bold leading-5 text-white underline decoration-solid underline-offset-2\" data-jwp-carousel-signposting-link href target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span data-jwp-carousel-signposting-title>Watch full video here: <\/span><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Even if the team may have been holding on hope for something different, such a performance is not a great surprise, and there was no particularly stinging disappointment as team manager Rutger Thijssen spoke to <em>Cyclingnews <\/em>after the stage.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;We started with a plan and an idea, and that went pretty [well]. We wanted to start on the foot of Mont Ventoux, on the steepest part, with three riders, and that&#8217;s what we were able to succeed in there,&#8221; he said.<\/p>\n<aside data-component-name=\"Recirculation:ArticleRiver\" data-recirculation-type=\"inline\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"Trending Bar\" data-nosnippet class=\"clear-both pt-2 pb-0 mb-4\"><span class=\"\n            flex\n            after:content-[&apos;&apos;] after:flex-1 after:ml-4 after:my-[0.7rem] after:border-t after:border-solid after:border-t-[#ccc]\n            before:content-[&apos;&apos;] before:flex-1 before:mr-4 before:my-[0.7rem] before:border-t before:border-solid before:border-t-[#ccc]\n            font-article-heading pb-0 text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,1em)] uppercase sm:text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,0.875em)] font-bold\n        \"><br \/>\n            You may like<br \/>\n        <\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"flex flex-col gap-0 m-0 max-w-full\">\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-1\" id=\"recirculation-inline-1\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-1\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-1\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6C5sRAXsM5w5iCjy48sayf-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6C5sRAXsM5w5iCjy48sayf-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">Visma-Lease a Bike rewrite Tour de France Femmes GC strategy after Pauline Ferrand-Pr\u00e9vot loses more time<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-2\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-2\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-2\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/33tMEpLPMwZ26kuvmooFUX-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/33tMEpLPMwZ26kuvmooFUX-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">&#8216;I think it&#8217;s over&#8217; \u2013 Pauline Ferrand-Pr\u00e9vot admits defeat in Tour de France Femmes title defence after struggles on stage 5<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ccc] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-3\" id=\"recirculation-inline-3\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-3\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-3\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xSv3MTVWq7Tk9yzPm3y3Zk-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xSv3MTVWq7Tk9yzPm3y3Zk-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">&#8216;I quite like this scenario of having to go after them rather than being the favourite&#8217; \u2013 Pauline Ferrand-Pr\u00e9vot down but not out after Tour de France Femmes time trial<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;Then in the end it is a very fair climb in which everybody falls where she needs to be or where she belongs at the moment. And that&#8217;s what it is for today.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Ferrand-Pr\u00e9vot has been insistent that she doesn&#8217;t necessarily feel bad in herself at this race, indeed recording a personal best 10-minute power earlier this week, but Thijssen seemed to cast some doubt on the comparison with last year.<\/p>\n<div id=\"slice-container-newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-pGKpQBxTkWyRtFLhBybSaV\" class=\"slice-container newsletter-inbodyContent-slice newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-pGKpQBxTkWyRtFLhBybSaV slice-container-newsletterForm\">\n<div data-hydrate=\"true\" class=\"newsletter-form__wrapper newsletter-form__wrapper--inbodyContent\">\n<div class=\"newsletter-form__container\">\n<section class=\"newsletter-form__top-bar\">\n<div class=\"newsletter-form__header\">Get The Leadout Newsletter<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section class=\"newsletter-form__main-section\">\n<p class=\"newsletter-form__strapline\">The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!<\/p>\n<footer class=\"newsletter-form__footer \">By submitting your information you agree to the Terms &amp; Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.<\/footer>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;That&#8217;s something we have to look into with the numbers, of course, if that&#8217;s really the situation,&#8221; he said, before explaining perhaps why the rider and team have been focusing on the positives anyway.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;On the other hand, you want to keep the morale high, so you start positive with a good mindset, and you make a plan, and you execute the plan and in the end you probably either feel the legs or not the legs that you need to have in that moment. So that&#8217;s what it is, and in the end others are better, faster, stronger.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Those numbers Thijssen speaks of haven&#8217;t been dissected yet, as he feels anything they might learn at this stage won&#8217;t be beneficial for the rest of the race \u2013 Ferrand-Pr\u00e9vot&#8217;s form is the result of months of training, and won&#8217;t be changed overnight.<\/p>\n<aside data-component-name=\"Recirculation:ArticleRiver\" data-recirculation-type=\"inline\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"Trending Bar\" data-nosnippet class=\"clear-both pt-2 pb-0 mb-4\"><span class=\"\n            flex\n            after:content-[&apos;&apos;] after:flex-1 after:ml-4 after:my-[0.7rem] after:border-t after:border-solid after:border-t-[#ccc]\n            before:content-[&apos;&apos;] before:flex-1 before:mr-4 before:my-[0.7rem] before:border-t before:border-solid before:border-t-[#ccc]\n            font-article-heading pb-0 text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,1em)] uppercase sm:text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,0.875em)] font-bold\n        \"><br \/>\n            What to read next<br \/>\n        <\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"flex flex-col gap-0 m-0 max-w-full\">\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-1\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2-1\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-1\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-1\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4hsSvfGBK6Wa9FSH8hKYwB-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4hsSvfGBK6Wa9FSH8hKYwB-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">&#8216;So many riders now are able to ride at a high level, it&#8217;s crazy&#8217; \u2013 Pauline Ferrand-Pr\u00e9vot reveals she hit a power PB as she was being put to the sword at Tour de France Femmes<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-2\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2-2\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-2\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-2\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/mY88DqJoWPkLxJD69Ugxja-250-80.png.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/mY88DqJoWPkLxJD69Ugxja-150-80.png.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">On the back foot: defending champion Pauline Ferrand-Pr\u00e9vot suffers major GC setback in Tour de France Femmes time trial<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ccc] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-3\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2-3\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-3\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-3\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/MaYN5X83X7zFgoHKdrr7da-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/MaYN5X83X7zFgoHKdrr7da-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">&#8216;Last year&#8217;s victory doesn&#8217;t guarantee anything&#8217; \u2013 Pauline Ferrand-Pr\u00e9vot set to defend Tour de France Femmes title with balanced Visma support squad<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;Not yet, and there is no need to do that right now,&#8221; he said about digging deeper into the data or potential problems. &#8220;We are still here for two days of racing, so we need to make a plan, that includes Pauline. Looking at last year&#8217;s programme and this year&#8217;s programme doesn&#8217;t give us any insight for this moment, but we will do it, of course, afterwards.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">As for a specific on what the team might hope or aim to get out of these last two days of racing, Thijssen wouldn&#8217;t nail down one goal, saying just &#8220;A good result with the team. We always aim for the highest possible, and we&#8217;ll see what that is&#8221;.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">On Friday, their best-placed finisher was Marion Bunel in 11th, and they have Femke de Vries looking strong, as well as an on-form Lieke Nooijen who pushed Marlen Reusser close in the time trial. So although Ferrand-Pr\u00e9vot&#8217;s title defence has been something of a flop, the team still have good reason to stick to that positive outlook for the final two days.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;Marion did a very good climb on Mont Ventoux. We know that she can do this and as she puts her mind to something, Marion is able to do a little bit more. We are very pleased to see how she performed today, and that&#8217;s the positive part of today,&#8221; Thijssen said.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;We have definitely good riders, the team is good, the team is fresh, so there&#8217;s no need to panic.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-9af2373c-928d-11f1-a1b7-4bc38f0f1fa4\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\"><em><strong>Support our unrivalled coverage of the Tour de France Femmes and women&#8217;s cycling by subscribing to Cyclingnews. In return, you get unlimited access to high-quality journalism, with breaking news, race analysis, and expert insight from inside the women&#8217;s peloton. Plus, the Cyclingnews app lets you follow the action wherever you go! <\/strong><\/em><u><em><strong>Join today.<\/strong><\/em><\/u><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"slice-container-authorBio-pGKpQBxTkWyRtFLhBybSaV\" class=\"slice-container slice-author-bio authorBio-pGKpQBxTkWyRtFLhBybSaV slice-container-authorBio\">\n<div class=\"author author__default-layout author--separator author--collapsible\" data-hydrate=\"true\">\n<div class=\"author__header\">\n<div class=\"author__heading\">\n<div class=\"author__name\">Matilda Price<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__role\">Assistant Features Editor<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__bio-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"author__biography\">\n<p>Matilda is an NCTJ-qualified journalist based in the UK who joined <em>Cyclingnews <\/em>in March 2025. Prior to that, she worked as the Racing News Editor at <em>GCN<\/em>, and extensively as a freelancer contributing to <em>Cyclingnews, Cycling Weekly, Velo, Rouleur, Escape Collective, Red Bull <\/em>and more. She has reported on the ground at all of the biggest events on the calendar, including the men&#8217;s and women&#8217;s Tours de France, the Giro d&#8217;Italia, the Vuelta a Espana, the Spring Classics and the World Championships. She has particular experience and expertise in women&#8217;s cycling, and women&#8217;s sport in general. She is a graduate of modern languages and sports journalism.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<div class=\"relative max-w-[1070px] viafoura-twig-component mt-6 mx-4 lg:mx-0\" data-component-name=\"Viafoura:Comments\" data-nosnippet data-community-guidelines-text=\"&lt;p class=&apos;vfcustom-community-guidelines&apos;&gt;Please follow our &lt;a href=&quot;https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/about\/#section-community-guidelines&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;community guidelines&lt;\/a&gt;.&lt;\/p&gt;\" data-join-the-conversation-text=\"Join the Conversation\">\n<div class=\"absolute top-0 left-0 w-full h-full flex items-center justify-center z-50 bg-white\/90 border-1 rounded-b-[var(--comment-widget-border-radius,0)]\">\n<div class=\"p-2 text-center\">\n<p class=\"mb-3 text-lg!\">You must confirm your public display name before commenting<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-3 text-sm!\">Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<section class=\"mx-2 my-5 sm:mx-0\">\n<aside class=\"w-full\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-stacked\">\n<div data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-adviser:hybrid\">\n<div class=\"text-white py-4 px-3 mb-4 bg-[#333] uppercase font-bold custom-header-styles\">Read more<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid grid-cols-1 gap-4 mt-4 mb-5\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6C5sRAXsM5w5iCjy48sayf-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6C5sRAXsM5w5iCjy48sayf-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6C5sRAXsM5w5iCjy48sayf-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6C5sRAXsM5w5iCjy48sayf-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6C5sRAXsM5w5iCjy48sayf-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Visma-Lease a Bike rewrite Tour de France Femmes GC strategy after Pauline Ferrand-Pr\u00e9vot loses more time<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/33tMEpLPMwZ26kuvmooFUX-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/33tMEpLPMwZ26kuvmooFUX-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/33tMEpLPMwZ26kuvmooFUX-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/33tMEpLPMwZ26kuvmooFUX-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/33tMEpLPMwZ26kuvmooFUX-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;I think it&#8217;s over&#8217; \u2013 Pauline Ferrand-Pr\u00e9vot admits defeat in Tour de France Femmes title defence after struggles on stage 5<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xSv3MTVWq7Tk9yzPm3y3Zk-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xSv3MTVWq7Tk9yzPm3y3Zk-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xSv3MTVWq7Tk9yzPm3y3Zk-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xSv3MTVWq7Tk9yzPm3y3Zk-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xSv3MTVWq7Tk9yzPm3y3Zk-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;I quite like this scenario of having to go after them rather than being the favourite&#8217; \u2013 Pauline Ferrand-Pr\u00e9vot down but not out after Tour de France Femmes time trial<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4hsSvfGBK6Wa9FSH8hKYwB-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4hsSvfGBK6Wa9FSH8hKYwB-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4hsSvfGBK6Wa9FSH8hKYwB-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4hsSvfGBK6Wa9FSH8hKYwB-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4hsSvfGBK6Wa9FSH8hKYwB-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;So many riders now are able to ride at a high level, it&#8217;s crazy&#8217; \u2013 Pauline Ferrand-Pr\u00e9vot reveals she hit a power PB as she was being put to the sword at Tour de France Femmes<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/mY88DqJoWPkLxJD69Ugxja-840-80.png.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/mY88DqJoWPkLxJD69Ugxja-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/mY88DqJoWPkLxJD69Ugxja-500-80.png.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/mY88DqJoWPkLxJD69Ugxja-450-80.png.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/mY88DqJoWPkLxJD69Ugxja-320-80.png.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">On the back foot: defending champion Pauline Ferrand-Pr\u00e9vot suffers major GC setback in Tour de France Femmes time trial<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/MaYN5X83X7zFgoHKdrr7da-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/MaYN5X83X7zFgoHKdrr7da-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/MaYN5X83X7zFgoHKdrr7da-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/MaYN5X83X7zFgoHKdrr7da-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/MaYN5X83X7zFgoHKdrr7da-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;Last year&#8217;s victory doesn&#8217;t guarantee anything&#8217; \u2013 Pauline Ferrand-Pr\u00e9vot set to defend Tour de France Femmes title with balanced Visma support squad<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside class=\"w-full\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-stacked\">\n<div data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-solr:latest-category\">\n<div class=\"text-white py-4 px-3 mb-4 bg-[#333] uppercase font-bold custom-header-styles\">Latest in Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid grid-cols-1 gap-4 mt-4 mb-5\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/yvCHiXqeiUkPH3NqNbbshH-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/yvCHiXqeiUkPH3NqNbbshH-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/yvCHiXqeiUkPH3NqNbbshH-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/yvCHiXqeiUkPH3NqNbbshH-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/yvCHiXqeiUkPH3NqNbbshH-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Defending champion Pauline Ferrand-Pr\u00e9vot will not start stage 8 of the Tour de France Femmes<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/oyseJncEBrBMTh4b73FkZd-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/oyseJncEBrBMTh4b73FkZd-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/oyseJncEBrBMTh4b73FkZd-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/oyseJncEBrBMTh4b73FkZd-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/oyseJncEBrBMTh4b73FkZd-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Charlotte Kool leaves the Tour de France Femmes after finishing outside the time limit on the punishing stage to Mont Ventoux<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RuyNbGWyNRynWWLuycEZQJ-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RuyNbGWyNRynWWLuycEZQJ-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RuyNbGWyNRynWWLuycEZQJ-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RuyNbGWyNRynWWLuycEZQJ-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RuyNbGWyNRynWWLuycEZQJ-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Kasia Niewiadoma-Phinney reigns as queen of Mont Ventoux, but the Tour de France Femmes crown is still up for grabs\u00a0\u2013 Analysis<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hiumCdXDkdzGYMEUipAvfU-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hiumCdXDkdzGYMEUipAvfU-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hiumCdXDkdzGYMEUipAvfU-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hiumCdXDkdzGYMEUipAvfU-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hiumCdXDkdzGYMEUipAvfU-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;A payback for all the second and third places&#8217; \u2013 Kasia Niewiadoma-Phinney pulls out all the stops to move within reach of second Tour de France Femmes title<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/SRLbqp8KM5CVHb2V3mnxMH-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/SRLbqp8KM5CVHb2V3mnxMH-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/SRLbqp8KM5CVHb2V3mnxMH-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/SRLbqp8KM5CVHb2V3mnxMH-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/SRLbqp8KM5CVHb2V3mnxMH-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;It just became a massive ball of stress&#8217; \u2013 Paula Blasi and UAE Team L&#8217;IMAD united on Mont Ventoux after challenging week at Tour de France Femmes<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/9zH6KjHaJuSQvGMxhijrka-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/9zH6KjHaJuSQvGMxhijrka-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/9zH6KjHaJuSQvGMxhijrka-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/9zH6KjHaJuSQvGMxhijrka-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/9zH6KjHaJuSQvGMxhijrka-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Leadville Trail 100 MTB<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside class=\"w-full\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-stacked\">\n<div data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-solr:latest-articletype\">\n<div class=\"text-white py-4 px-3 mb-4 bg-[#333] uppercase font-bold custom-header-styles\">Latest in News<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid grid-cols-1 gap-4 mt-4 mb-5\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/yvCHiXqeiUkPH3NqNbbshH-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/yvCHiXqeiUkPH3NqNbbshH-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/yvCHiXqeiUkPH3NqNbbshH-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/yvCHiXqeiUkPH3NqNbbshH-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/yvCHiXqeiUkPH3NqNbbshH-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Defending champion Pauline Ferrand-Pr\u00e9vot will not start stage 8 of the Tour de France Femmes<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/oyseJncEBrBMTh4b73FkZd-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/oyseJncEBrBMTh4b73FkZd-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/oyseJncEBrBMTh4b73FkZd-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/oyseJncEBrBMTh4b73FkZd-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/oyseJncEBrBMTh4b73FkZd-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Charlotte Kool leaves the Tour de France Femmes after finishing outside the time limit on the punishing stage to Mont Ventoux<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/YQSqFTNdhiaitpGuB4utAX-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/YQSqFTNdhiaitpGuB4utAX-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/YQSqFTNdhiaitpGuB4utAX-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/YQSqFTNdhiaitpGuB4utAX-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/YQSqFTNdhiaitpGuB4utAX-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;We were hoping to make more of a dent&#8217; \u2013 Mont Ventoux effort leaves C\u00e9drine Kerbaol moving up Tour de France Femmes GC but still aiming higher<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hiumCdXDkdzGYMEUipAvfU-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hiumCdXDkdzGYMEUipAvfU-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hiumCdXDkdzGYMEUipAvfU-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hiumCdXDkdzGYMEUipAvfU-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hiumCdXDkdzGYMEUipAvfU-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;A payback for all the second and third places&#8217; \u2013 Kasia Niewiadoma-Phinney pulls out all the stops to move within reach of second Tour de France Femmes title<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/SRLbqp8KM5CVHb2V3mnxMH-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/SRLbqp8KM5CVHb2V3mnxMH-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/SRLbqp8KM5CVHb2V3mnxMH-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/SRLbqp8KM5CVHb2V3mnxMH-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/SRLbqp8KM5CVHb2V3mnxMH-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;It just became a massive ball of stress&#8217; \u2013 Paula Blasi and UAE Team L&#8217;IMAD united on Mont Ventoux after challenging week at Tour de France Femmes<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/YbJTLfrS6PRMEczmLr7cGN-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/YbJTLfrS6PRMEczmLr7cGN-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/YbJTLfrS6PRMEczmLr7cGN-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/YbJTLfrS6PRMEczmLr7cGN-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/YbJTLfrS6PRMEczmLr7cGN-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;I really should have closed the gap straight away&#8217; \u2013 Demi Vollering harbours Mont Ventoux regrets as Niewiadoma-Phinney soars into Tour de France Femmes lead<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"widgetArea17\" class=\"widget-area md:basis-1\/3 widget-area-g-md-vp-1-3 widget-area-g-lg-vp-1-3 widget-area-g-xl-vp-1-3 page-widget-area-17\">\n<div data-widget-type=\"dynamic\" id=\"popular-data\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-dynamic widget-popular-data widget-dynamic-popular-data widget-dynamic-fter-popular-box\">\n<div class=\"wdn-fte-pb pos-relative space-t20\n\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"slice-container popular-box-slice\">\n<section class=\"popular-box\" data-component-name=\"Slice:PopularBox\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__label\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__label__tab popular-box__label__tab--active\" role=\"heading\">\nLATEST ARTICLES\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<ol class=\"popular-box__articles-list popular-box__articles-list--active\">\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__image-wrapper\">\n<div>\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/yvCHiXqeiUkPH3NqNbbshH-1280-80.jpg.webp 1280w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/yvCHiXqeiUkPH3NqNbbshH-720-80.jpg.webp 720w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/yvCHiXqeiUkPH3NqNbbshH-640-80.jpg.webp 640w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/yvCHiXqeiUkPH3NqNbbshH-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"99vw\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">1<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">\n<p>Defending champion Pauline Ferrand-Pr\u00e9vot will not start stage 8 of the Tour de France Femmes<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">2<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">\n<p>Tour de France Femmes stage 8 LIVE: Longest stage of the race may suit sprinters or a breakaway<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">3<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">\n<p>Charlotte Kool leaves the Tour de France Femmes after finishing outside the time limit on the punishing stage to Mont Ventoux<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">4<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">\n<p>&#8216;We were hoping to make more of a dent&#8217; \u2013 Mont Ventoux effort leaves C\u00e9drine Kerbaol moving up Tour de France Femmes GC but still aiming higher<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">5<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">\n<p>Kasia Niewiadoma-Phinney reigns as queen of Mont Ventoux, but the Tour de France Femmes crown is still up for grabs\u00a0\u2013 Analysis<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<div class=\"news-article\">\n<header data-component-name=\"Article:Hero\">\n<nav class=\"breadcrumb\" aria-label=\"Breadcrumbs\">\n<ol>\n<li>\nPro Cycling\n<\/li>\n<li>\nRacing\n<\/li>\n<li>\nWomen&#8217;s Cycling\n<\/li>\n<li>\nRoad\n<\/li>\n<li>\nTour de France Femmes\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/nav>\n<h1>No fairytale Mont Ventoux comeback for Pauline Ferrand-Pr\u00e9vot as team still without answers on underwhelming Tour de France Femmes<\/h1>\n<div class=\"byline-social\">\n<div class=\"vds-byline-block flex flex-row flex-nowrap my-1.5 gap-2 text-left items-start justify-start\" data-component-name=\"Article:BylineBlock\">\n<p>News<\/p>\n<div class=\"my-auto vds-simple-byline\"><span class=\"inline-block vds-author\"><br \/>\nBy<br \/>\nMatilda Price <\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"flex gap-1 vds-byline-with-avatar__meta\"><span class=\"vds-date block font-normal tracking-normal normal-case text-xs\"><br \/>\nPublished<br \/>\n<time data-component-name=\"UI:DateTime\" datetime=\"2026-08-07T18:58:05Z\" class=\"relative-date\"><br \/>\n7 August 2026<br \/>\n<\/time><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"strapline\">&#8216;Looking at last year&#8217;s programme and this year&#8217;s programme doesn&#8217;t give us any insight for this moment, but we will do it, of course, afterwards&#8217; says team manager Rutger Thijssen<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<aside class=\"text-gray-700 flex items-center mx-0 my-5 p-0 justify-start text-left\" id=\"affiliate-disclaimer\" data-component-name=\"AffiliateDisclaimer\" data-hawk-message=\"Affiliate disclaimer removed because hawk deemed there are no affiliate links on this page\">\n<p class=\"text-[color:var(--affiliate-disclaimer--text-color,inherit)] mb-2 text-[length:var(--affiliate-disclaimer--font-size,0.75rem)] leading-[18px] md:text-[13px] [&amp;&gt;a]:text-inherit [&amp;&gt;a]:underline\">\nWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here\u2019s how it works.\n<\/p>\n<\/aside>\n<\/header>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"article-body\" class=\"text-copy bodyCopy auto paywall-locker\">\n<div data-analytics-id=\"utility-bar\" id=\"utility-bar\" class=\"font-ui-heading flex justify-between items-center py-2 border-t border-b border-gray-300 border-solid mb-5 mx-auto\" data-component-name=\"UtilityBar\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"utility-bar\">\n<div class=\"flex gap-2 text-[#333] subcontainer\">\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<div data-component-name=\"Social:Dropdown\" role=\"menu\" id=\"utilitybar__dropdown--share\" aria-labelledby=\"utilitybar__button--share\" class=\"absolute left-0 top-full w-44 bg-white rounded-md shadow-md border border-neutral-200 z-[9996] list-none m-0 py-2 px-3 border-solid\">\n<ul class=\"m-0!\">\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>Facebook<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>X<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>Pinterest<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>Email<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-share-this-article\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nShare this article\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\"><span class=\"ml-1 inline-flex h-5 px-2 shrink-0 items-center justify-center self-center overflow-hidden whitespace-nowrap rounded-[10px] bg-primary-500 text-[11px] leading-none font-ui-heading font-semibold text-white\">0<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-join-the-conversation\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nJoin the conversation\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"flex gap-2 text-[#333] subcontainer\">\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<p>Follow us<\/p>\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-add-us-as-a-preferred-source-on-google\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nAdd us as a preferred source on Google\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-subscribe-to-our-newsletter\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nSubscribe to our newsletter\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p id=\"elk-9af23624-928d-11f1-9131-ddfc94fd1b41\">Defending champion Pauline Ferrand-Pr\u00e9vot (Visma-Lease a Bike) may have already conceded that her Tour de France Femmes GC bid was likely over a few days ago, but she was still hoping to salvage a result from this race. Unfortunately, after a punishing day on Mont Ventoux, she is still waiting for that comeback.<\/p>\n<p>Despite vowing to keep going in search of success here, and many pointing to Ventoux as a long climb that might suit her abilities even if she&#8217;s been struggling with the punchier efforts, it wasn&#8217;t a much better day for the Frenchwoman, who was one of the first major riders to be dropped at the base of the climb.<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-9af23624-928d-11f1-9131-ddfc94fd1b41-2\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">She slid out the back of the favourites group before her teammates Femke de Vries and Marion Bunel, eventually finishing 18th on the stage, nearly 11 minutes down on winner Kasia Niewiadoma-Phinney (Canyon-SRAM).<\/p>\n<div class=\"my-6 w-full overflow-hidden rounded-[10px] lg:my-8\" data-component-name=\"JwPlayer:Carousel\" data-jwp-carousel data-jwp-carousel-payload=\"{&quot;ids&quot;:{&quot;playerID&quot;:&quot;jYDCcabO&quot;,&quot;searchPlaylistID&quot;:&quot;gwjdoYHD&quot;,&quot;divID&quot;:&quot;botr_gwjdoYHD_jYDCcabO_div&quot;,&quot;fallbackPlaylistID&quot;:&quot;gwjdoYHD&quot;,&quot;fallbackDivID&quot;:&quot;botr_gwjdoYHD_jYDCcabO_div&quot;,&quot;key&quot;:&quot;X9\/mXVGac0NphghLH9hZaqWA5d3dhAM\/Ih07grnEyMLjuO2E&quot;,&quot;tintLogo&quot;:true,&quot;useSearchPlaylist&quot;:false,&quot;enabled&quot;:true},&quot;signPostingEnabled&quot;:true,&quot;signPostingLinkEnabled&quot;:true,&quot;waitForAdLoad&quot;:false,&quot;hidePlayerOnDesktop&quot;:false,&quot;hidePlayerOnMobile&quot;:false,&quot;hidePlayerOnTablet&quot;:false}\">\n<div class=\"flex flex-nowrap items-center justify-between gap-3 bg-zinc-900 px-[14px] py-3\" data-jwp-carousel-header>\n<div class=\"flex min-w-0 shrink items-center\"><span class=\"inline-flex items-center gap-1.5 text-sm font-article-heading capitalize leading-5 text-white whitespace-nowrap\"><span class=\"jwp-carousel-title-desktop\">Latest Videos From<\/span><span class=\"jwp-carousel-brand\">Cyclingnews<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"min-h-[44px] bg-zinc-900 px-[14px] py-3\" data-jwp-carousel-signposting><a class=\"invisible block truncate text-sm font-bold leading-5 text-white underline decoration-solid underline-offset-2\" data-jwp-carousel-signposting-link href target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span data-jwp-carousel-signposting-title>Watch full video here: <\/span><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Even if the team may have been holding on hope for something different, such a performance is not a great surprise, and there was no particularly stinging disappointment as team manager Rutger Thijssen spoke to <em>Cyclingnews <\/em>after the stage.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;We started with a plan and an idea, and that went pretty [well]. We wanted to start on the foot of Mont Ventoux, on the steepest part, with three riders, and that&#8217;s what we were able to succeed in there,&#8221; he said.<\/p>\n<aside data-component-name=\"Recirculation:ArticleRiver\" data-recirculation-type=\"inline\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"Trending Bar\" data-nosnippet class=\"clear-both pt-2 pb-0 mb-4\"><span class=\"\n            flex\n            after:content-[&apos;&apos;] after:flex-1 after:ml-4 after:my-[0.7rem] after:border-t after:border-solid after:border-t-[#ccc]\n            before:content-[&apos;&apos;] before:flex-1 before:mr-4 before:my-[0.7rem] before:border-t before:border-solid before:border-t-[#ccc]\n            font-article-heading pb-0 text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,1em)] uppercase sm:text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,0.875em)] font-bold\n        \"><br \/>\n            You may like<br \/>\n        <\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"flex flex-col gap-0 m-0 max-w-full\">\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-1\" id=\"recirculation-inline-1\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-1\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-1\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6C5sRAXsM5w5iCjy48sayf-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6C5sRAXsM5w5iCjy48sayf-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">Visma-Lease a Bike rewrite Tour de France Femmes GC strategy after Pauline Ferrand-Pr\u00e9vot loses more time<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-2\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-2\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-2\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/33tMEpLPMwZ26kuvmooFUX-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/33tMEpLPMwZ26kuvmooFUX-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">&#8216;I think it&#8217;s over&#8217; \u2013 Pauline Ferrand-Pr\u00e9vot admits defeat in Tour de France Femmes title defence after struggles on stage 5<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ccc] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-3\" id=\"recirculation-inline-3\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-3\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-3\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xSv3MTVWq7Tk9yzPm3y3Zk-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xSv3MTVWq7Tk9yzPm3y3Zk-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">&#8216;I quite like this scenario of having to go after them rather than being the favourite&#8217; \u2013 Pauline Ferrand-Pr\u00e9vot down but not out after Tour de France Femmes time trial<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;Then in the end it is a very fair climb in which everybody falls where she needs to be or where she belongs at the moment. And that&#8217;s what it is for today.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Ferrand-Pr\u00e9vot has been insistent that she doesn&#8217;t necessarily feel bad in herself at this race, indeed recording a personal best 10-minute power earlier this week, but Thijssen seemed to cast some doubt on the comparison with last year.<\/p>\n<div id=\"slice-container-newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-pGKpQBxTkWyRtFLhBybSaV\" class=\"slice-container newsletter-inbodyContent-slice newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-pGKpQBxTkWyRtFLhBybSaV slice-container-newsletterForm\">\n<div data-hydrate=\"true\" class=\"newsletter-form__wrapper newsletter-form__wrapper--inbodyContent\">\n<div class=\"newsletter-form__container\">\n<section class=\"newsletter-form__top-bar\">\n<div class=\"newsletter-form__header\">Get The Leadout Newsletter<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section class=\"newsletter-form__main-section\">\n<p class=\"newsletter-form__strapline\">The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!<\/p>\n<footer class=\"newsletter-form__footer \">By submitting your information you agree to the Terms &amp; Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.<\/footer>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;That&#8217;s something we have to look into with the numbers, of course, if that&#8217;s really the situation,&#8221; he said, before explaining perhaps why the rider and team have been focusing on the positives anyway.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;On the other hand, you want to keep the morale high, so you start positive with a good mindset, and you make a plan, and you execute the plan and in the end you probably either feel the legs or not the legs that you need to have in that moment. So that&#8217;s what it is, and in the end others are better, faster, stronger.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Those numbers Thijssen speaks of haven&#8217;t been dissected yet, as he feels anything they might learn at this stage won&#8217;t be beneficial for the rest of the race \u2013 Ferrand-Pr\u00e9vot&#8217;s form is the result of months of training, and won&#8217;t be changed overnight.<\/p>\n<aside data-component-name=\"Recirculation:ArticleRiver\" data-recirculation-type=\"inline\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"Trending Bar\" data-nosnippet class=\"clear-both pt-2 pb-0 mb-4\"><span class=\"\n            flex\n            after:content-[&apos;&apos;] after:flex-1 after:ml-4 after:my-[0.7rem] after:border-t after:border-solid after:border-t-[#ccc]\n            before:content-[&apos;&apos;] before:flex-1 before:mr-4 before:my-[0.7rem] before:border-t before:border-solid before:border-t-[#ccc]\n            font-article-heading pb-0 text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,1em)] uppercase sm:text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,0.875em)] font-bold\n        \"><br \/>\n            What to read next<br \/>\n        <\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"flex flex-col gap-0 m-0 max-w-full\">\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-1\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2-1\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-1\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-1\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4hsSvfGBK6Wa9FSH8hKYwB-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4hsSvfGBK6Wa9FSH8hKYwB-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">&#8216;So many riders now are able to ride at a high level, it&#8217;s crazy&#8217; \u2013 Pauline Ferrand-Pr\u00e9vot reveals she hit a power PB as she was being put to the sword at Tour de France Femmes<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-2\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2-2\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-2\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-2\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/mY88DqJoWPkLxJD69Ugxja-250-80.png.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/mY88DqJoWPkLxJD69Ugxja-150-80.png.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">On the back foot: defending champion Pauline Ferrand-Pr\u00e9vot suffers major GC setback in Tour de France Femmes time trial<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ccc] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-3\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2-3\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-3\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-3\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/MaYN5X83X7zFgoHKdrr7da-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/MaYN5X83X7zFgoHKdrr7da-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">&#8216;Last year&#8217;s victory doesn&#8217;t guarantee anything&#8217; \u2013 Pauline Ferrand-Pr\u00e9vot set to defend Tour de France Femmes title with balanced Visma support squad<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;Not yet, and there is no need to do that right now,&#8221; he said about digging deeper into the data or potential problems. &#8220;We are still here for two days of racing, so we need to make a plan, that includes Pauline. Looking at last year&#8217;s programme and this year&#8217;s programme doesn&#8217;t give us any insight for this moment, but we will do it, of course, afterwards.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">As for a specific on what the team might hope or aim to get out of these last two days of racing, Thijssen wouldn&#8217;t nail down one goal, saying just &#8220;A good result with the team. We always aim for the highest possible, and we&#8217;ll see what that is&#8221;.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">On Friday, their best-placed finisher was Marion Bunel in 11th, and they have Femke de Vries looking strong, as well as an on-form Lieke Nooijen who pushed Marlen Reusser close in the time trial. So although Ferrand-Pr\u00e9vot&#8217;s title defence has been something of a flop, the team still have good reason to stick to that positive outlook for the final two days.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;Marion did a very good climb on Mont Ventoux. We know that she can do this and as she puts her mind to something, Marion is able to do a little bit more. We are very pleased to see how she performed today, and that&#8217;s the positive part of today,&#8221; Thijssen said.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;We have definitely good riders, the team is good, the team is fresh, so there&#8217;s no need to panic.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-9af2373c-928d-11f1-a1b7-4bc38f0f1fa4\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\"><em><strong>Support our unrivalled coverage of the Tour de France Femmes and women&#8217;s cycling by subscribing to Cyclingnews. In return, you get unlimited access to high-quality journalism, with breaking news, race analysis, and expert insight from inside the women&#8217;s peloton. Plus, the Cyclingnews app lets you follow the action wherever you go! <\/strong><\/em><u><em><strong>Join today.<\/strong><\/em><\/u><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>[analyse_source url=&#8221;https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/pro-cycling\/womens-cycling\/no-fairytale-mont-ventoux-comeback-for-pauline-ferrand-prevot-as-team-still-without-answers-on-underwhelming-tour-de-france-femmes\/&#8221;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/uobSt3ptDVj6upQErEEpmX-2000-80.jpg&#8221;] 1 As it happened: Mont Ventoux inspires a historic solo win and shakes-up the 2026 Tour de France Femmes GC battle 2 The GC standings at the Tour de France Femmes 2026 \u2013 Yellow jersey changes hands on dramatic Mont Ventoux stage, setting up spectacular final weekend 3 As it happened: Tour [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[226,68],"class_list":["post-2083800","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-politics","tag-crawlmanager","tag-cyclingnews-com"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2083800","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=2083800"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2083800\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2083800"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2083800"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2083800"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}