Ferrand-Prevot takes control at Tour de France Femmes
The 33-year-old, who won the Paris-Roubaix Femmes in April, attacked seven kilometres from the summit to overtake Niamh Fisher-Black (Lidl–Trek) and Yara Kastelijn (Fenix–Deceuninck) before riding clear.
The Visma–Lease a Bike rider crossed the line one minute 45 seconds ahead of Sarah Gigante (AG Insurance–Soudal), with Fisher-Black in third two minutes 15 seconds behind.
Lara Gillespie (UAE Team ADQ) was best of the Irish trio, coming home in 64th. Gillespie is 94th in the general classification.
Mia Griffin (Roland le Devoluy) was 113th and is now 100th overall, while Fiona Mangan (Winspace Orange Seal) - who became the first Irish rider to win an intermediate sprint at the event on Friday - was 125th today and lies in 114th on the GC. Mangan is 34th in the points classification.
Reflecting on her stage win, Ferrand-Prevot said: "It was super painful, the last kilometre, because I wanted to have a gap as big as possible for tomorrow. I also wanted to enjoy it but it's not over until you cross the finish line. I'm so happy we made it."
Ferrand-Prevot's Visma teammate Marion Bunel, who was with her in the early breakaway, dropped back to pace her on the Col de la Madeleine.
"I can't wait to see my teammates and to share this jersey with them because they have been a big, big part of this victory and this yellow jersey," Ferrand-Prevot added.
"For sure I will give everything for the jersey tomorrow. My teammates will be there to support me, so it makes me feel a bit more relaxed about it."
Ferrand-Prevot, Paris Olympics gold medallist in cross-country mountain biking, will take her commanding lead into Sunday's final stage, aiming to become the first Frenchwoman to win the Tour de France Femmes.
It was a third straight stage victory for France which capped an aggressive display from Ferrand-Prevot, who started the day 26 seconds off the general classification leader Kimberley Le Court Pienaar (AG Insurance-Soudal).
Her win put her in the overall lead, with Gigante, two minutes 37 seconds adrift, the only general classification favourite still able to challenge her on the final 124.1km mountain ride from Praz-sur-Arly to Chatel.
Mauritian Le Court crashed on the descent from the Col du Frene with 63km remaining, briefly trailing the peloton by about a minute before resuming her chase.
She rejoined later, but her effort to set the pace for teammate Gigante, combined with the relentless climbing, cost her dearly in the general classification, dropping her to 11th place.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
RTÉ News
8 minutes ago
- RTÉ News
Howd'yadoit proves a pleasant surprise for Ger Lyons in Naas feature
Howd'yadoit left Ger Lyons "gobsmacked", as Colin Keane timed it to perfection in landing the richly-endowed Irish EBF Ballyhane Stakes at Naas. Completing a treble on the day, Keane got up close home on the 13-2 chance – who had shed his maiden tag at the fourth time of asking at Down Royal last month – to hold off Unbreakable Duke by a nose. Unbreakable Duke was subsequently demoted to third, with Summer Is Tomorrow promoted to second, following a stewards' inquiry into interference. British raider Jel Pepper (6-4 favourite) was fourth for Paul and Oliver Cole, while Prix Robert Papin winner Green Sense was withdrawn by Joseph O'Brien due to unsuitable ground. Lyons – who teamed up with Keane to land this race with Sacred Bridge in 2021 – admitted: "I'm gobsmacked, as I didn't think he'd be good enough. "What an honest horse, he's been doing it well. "We wanted to win a maiden en route to winning a nursery, but he (handicapper) hit him with a mark that I thought was ridiculous for what I felt was a poor maiden. "We came here because it was a good pot, and I said any bit of the prize-money is grand. Never in my wildest dreams did I think he'd win." He added: "I'm delighted as Sean's (Jones, owner) horses are now bought for and named by his sons Eddie and James to keep them interested and they are here today. They are the next generation, so it's great. "Sean has been with me from day one and it couldn't happen to a nicer guy." Meanwhile, Bonus Time made all to land the Ironxcell For Energy Race. The 2-5 shot was sent straight to the head of the field by Keane, with Zuheila racing keenly in behind. "It looked a nice spot for her and I'm very happy how she did it. Colin looked after her and gave her a nice ride." Keane did not have to ask the daughter of Too Darn Hot too many questions, as the Paddy Twomey-trained filly ran out a half-length winner from Kodilicious, who kept on well for second, with the still green Zuheila in third. Twomey said: "Her last run was her first run for us and we tried seven in a handicap. She ran really well and Andy (Oliver)'s horse is a good horse that beat her just at the line. "First time in a handicap carrying 10st and I just thought the last 50 yards looked a long way, so we said we'd come back to six today. "It looked a nice spot for her and I'm very happy how she did it. Colin looked after her and gave her a nice ride. "Colin said she could be dropped in and that she was waiting there in front." The three-year-old is owned by Yorkshire-based Bond Thoroughbred Limited, and Twomey added: "We'll try to get some black type with her eventually and she might go to the Ebor meeting in York." Mint Man won on turf at the 11th time of asking in the Taste Of Kildare At Naas Racecourse 16th – 17th August Handicap. The Pat Murphy-trained four-year-old launched his challenge two furlongs out and hit the front heading into the final furlong, keeping on well to win by a length and a half. Murphy said of his 8-1 winner: "He was in good form and is not a massive horse so carrying less weight today helped him. "Leigh said he winged the gates and travelled away nicely for him. He hung a bit to the near side but has done it nicely. "I thought he would have won more by now. "We'll see what comes up for him and he could run in the Curragh on Saturday." Keane completed a double on Noli Timere in the LubriSyn HA+ Premium Equine Joint Protection Fillies Maiden. Michael O'Callaghan's filly justified 11-4 favouritism and he said: "She's a lovely filly and has taken a bit of time but is one we have always liked. "We put cheekpieces on today, more to sharpen her up dropping back from a mile and one. "Colin said a mile is her trip and she'll improve for slower ground. That is as quick as she wants it and we'll probably go hunting for a little bit of black type."
The Irish Sun
38 minutes ago
- The Irish Sun
Ireland rugby ace dressed as ‘Fred Flintstone' shocks pub crowd in Mayo with stunning accordion performance at stag do
The Leinster and Ireland star grabbed an accordion on stag night in Westport and belted out tunes in full fancy dress TUNE IN Ireland rugby ace dressed as 'Fred Flintstone' shocks pub crowd in Mayo with stunning accordion performance at stag do RUGBY star Robbie Henshaw had punters seeing double when he took to the accordion at a Mayo pub - dressed as Fred Flintstone. The Leinster and Ireland centre was enjoying a pal's stag do in Westport when he shocked locals with a trad session inside Dohertys bar. 2 The Ireland star donned a Fred Flinstone outfit as he showed his accordion skills in Mayo during a stag do 2 Robbie Henshaw in action for Ireland earlier this year against France in the Six Nations The Irish international, who missed out on the recent Lions tour showed off his well know musical skills on the squeezebox. Footage shared by the pub on Instagram showed Henshaw belting out tunes while his pal sings along. The pub posted the video with a caption that read: 'We were thrilled to welcome Irish Rugby international and Leinster star Robbie Henshaw today — and who better to treat us to a few tunes on the box!' The Kildare native has previously proven himself to be a man of many talents after a surreal appearance on The Late Late Show last year. And when he finished the song, he earned praise from audience members and host Patrick Kielty, after another fine display on the accordion. Despite missing out on a third British and Irish Lions tour, the Athlone man clearly isn't moping as he's hitting all the right notes. Elsewhere, Bundee Aki revealed he missed the birth of his fifth child as he prepared to face Australia in the Lions first Test match. In the lead up to the Lions 27-19 opening Test victory over the Wallabies, there was a new addition to the Aki family. Bundee's wife Kayla was in New Zealand with family when she got in touch to say she was ready to give birth. Ireland's 2024 players' player of the year's fifth child Aine Aki was born in a car on the way to the hospital, the day of her dad's second ever Lions Test appearance. Australia and Lions rugby stars are forced off the pitch mid-game due to threat of lightning He said: "I saw a baby on the video call, so she had it in the car on the way to the hospital." The Connacht centre has credited his wife for taking the whole ordeal in her stride despite the difficulty of it all.
Irish Independent
an hour ago
- Irish Independent
St Peter AC Dromiskin's Abbie Sheriden takes her athletics to a whole new level with National title
This is where the top super stars of Irish athletics battle out to become national champions. The event drew massive crowds which is a reflection of the increasing popularity of Irish Athletics. St Peter's AC has enjoyed huge success at juvenile and junior level in recent years but senior athlete Abbie Sheriden took this success to a whole new level when she became National Senior Women's Steeplechase Champion. Abbie was in second place for most of the race keeping the lead athlete, Alexandra Joyce from Tuam AC, in her sights but with two laps to go managed to close the gap. Abbie then attempted to take the lead with 300m to go but Joyce held her off however, Abbie went again with 200m to go and Joyce had no answer and as they approached the last water jump there was only going to be one winner. Abbie's water jumps had been impeccable throughout the race and the last one was no exception powering down the home straight to an emphatic victory shaving 35 seconds of her Personal Best to finish in a time 10.05.72 to become National Senior Champion. This was the first time since 2009 that a St Peter's athlete stood on the top of the National Senior podium when Olivia McDonald won the senior javelin
