Pauline Ferrand-Prevot (Team Visma) has won with panache on the penultimate stage of the Tour de France Femmes in Saint Francois Longchamp. After winning Paris-Roubaix Femmes in April the Frenchwoman mastered the daunting final Col de la Madeleine climb (HC 18.6km at 8.1%) on stage 8 to seize the Yellow Jersey in front of cheering French fans - this was the third successive French stage victory. After attacking 9km from the summit, she crossed the line 1'45" ahead of Sarah Gigante, with Niamh Fisher-Black in third at 2'15". Ferrand-Prevot dynamited the GC battle 2'37" clear at the top of the GC, with Gigante second, Vollering third and Kasia Niewiadoma-Phinney fourth.
"I knew I was doing well. But I didn't know how I compared to the others, so it was a bit of a step into the unknown, too. In an effort of an hour, an hour and 20 or 30 minutes, you have to manage yourself well, and I can do that. I can get myself to the edge of the red zone and stay there for a long time. That's what I tried today, and it worked.
If I returned to the road, it was to participate in the Tour de France. It was to try to win it one day. And this victory today is a sign that I made the right choice. Thank you to all of France who has been following me for a week, I am happy to win for you."
-Pauline Ferrand-Prevost
Giulio Ciccone attacks on the Murgil-Tontorra climb - sealing the solo victory.
Jan Christen finishes second and Maxim Van Gils third.
"It was the moment I took to go full gas, I saw Del Toro was dropping and Christen was coming from the back, so this was the moment to try. I think in the end it was the right decision. I think this is something special. After the crash at the Giro, it was not easy to continue with the same morale. I had two weeks off, and I realised it was the moment to come back stronger than before."
-Giulio Ciccone
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