Ferrand-Prévot reveals best 10-minute power effort despite struggles at Tour Femmes

Pauline Ferrand-Prévot (Visma | Lease a Bike) has claimed that she produced her best-ever 10-minute power effort on stage 5 of the Tour de France Femmes, on a day when the defending champion lost significant time to her GC rivals. 

Having already shipped significant time in stage 4’s individual time trial, Ferrand-Prévot was unable to match Demi Vollering (FDJ United-Suez), Marlen Reusser (Movistar) and Kasia Niewiadoma (Canyon//Sram) in a hilly finale on stage 5, conceding 2:35.

The Visma rider admitted afterwards that she had been beaten by better riders on the day, saying "the others were just stronger today" after dropping to 17th overall, more than five minutes behind race leader Reusser.

Ferrand-Prévot recovered from this setback by finishing within the yellow jersey group on Thursday’s sixth stage, 28 seconds behind stage winner Kim Le Court (AG Insurance-Soudal), moving up to 15th overall. 

Speaking to TNT Sports after the stage, Ferrand-Prévot revealed that she had produced her best 10-minute effort during stage 5 despite losing time, and highlighted that the apparent contradiction reflects the rapidly increasing level of women’s cycling.

"I think my level is quite good. It's just that the others are better and yeah, you have to be realistic and honest,” Ferrand-Prévot told TNT Sports.

“I think my level is great, yesterday I did my best 10-minute power on the last climb. So I think I'm not too bad, but it's just that the level is much higher, you know?"

However, rather than viewing the outcome as evidence of a decline in her own form, Ferrand-Prévot acknowledged the positives of the increase in levels within the peloton. 

"It's really nice to see that my teammates are also developing, and yeah, you know, they want to learn, and this is nice."

Asked whether the women’s peloton is evolving even faster than the men’s, Ferrand-Prévot acknowledged the depth of talent now competing at the highest level. 

"The level, you know, there are so many riders now who are available to ride at the high level. It's crazy. And in one year the difference is huge, so it's very nice to see. But I think I have to progress and to keep working harder."

In addition, Ferrand-Prévot believes that the growth of the sport is also being reflected through the increasing public interest.

"It's very nice to see that women's cycling is developing so much, and also, the spectators on the road, and everything, it is great to see."

While the defending champion currently looks to be out of the picture for the yellow jersey, Ferrand-Prévot will still be hoping to leave her mark on the Tour, and a maiden visit to Mont Ventoux on Friday presents a perfect opportunity to strike.