For Ferrand-Prévot it's time to end the discussion sparked by the Tour: "I think it was a bit unfair"

When Marca asked Ferand-Prévot to look back on 2025, she spoke of an “incredible season.” “First, Paris-Roubaix was amazing, and then winning the Tour de France was, as I always say, a dream. So yes, it was a fabulous year and I’m really looking forward to next season to try to do even better,” said the Frenchwoman.

Her victories in the Tour will remain particularly memorable for the Visma | Lease a Bike rider. “It was crazy. In the last stage, I told my coach that I didn't need to win again, but when we got to the final climb and Demi (Vollering, ed.) attacked, I felt strong. I thought, ‘Okay, I'll attack and see what happens.’”

In the stage to Châtel, the Frenchwoman would ultimately prevail. “Suddenly, I was in the lead with five kilometers to go, and I said to myself, ‘I have nothing to lose.’ I went for it, and it worked. Winning two stages in the yellow jersey was definitely an unforgettable memory,” Ferrand-Prévot recalls.

During the Tour, there was also a lot of talk about the weight of the Visma | Lease a Bike leader and other riders. “Yes, it was an important topic during and after the Tour,” Ferrand-Prévot recalls. “I think it was a bit unfair because there was so much talk about my weight, but I just prepared for the race as best I could.”

“In endurance sports, it's important to be lightweight, especially on climbs like the Madeleine: you have to be in top shape,” the rider from Reims continues. “But the discussion was blown out of proportion. In women's cycling, these issues are discussed more, partly for health reasons and also because we as women have to take good care of our bodies.”

The Frenchwoman does not deny that it is “an important debate.” “But I thought it was unfair that it came up right after my victory. Weight is important, yes, but it's only one element: you also have to train, recover, and do everything right. It's just one parameter, not everything. Anyway, my weight is back to normal now, so everything is fine,” she says, putting it behind her.

Okay, so she's moved on from the weight discussion and made a triumphant return to the road. What's next for the Tour winner? “I'd like to win more Monuments, such as Liège-Bastogne-Liège, for example. And of course, I'd like to win the Tour again. Racing in my own country and defending the title is something very special, so that's one of my biggest goals.”

Is there still time for mountain biking? “For now, just road cycling. I don't think it's possible to combine multiple disciplines simultaneously anymore. I want to focus on road cycling and prepare as well as possible to win more races,” she says firmly.

There don't seem to be any projects outside of cycling either. “Because I really love what I do. I want to continue racing for at least another two years.” Ferrand-Prévot is not planning on having a baby or retiring for the time being. “I just want to win as many races as possible and enjoy what I do,” the Frenchwoman concludes.