Olympic mountain bike champion Pauline Ferrand-Prévot has attributed her performance during the time trial to adjustments made to her position on the bike. The French rider explained that her position was modified due to two iliac artery operations she underwent in 2019 and 2020.
Speaking to RMC, Ferrand-Prévot stated that her position on the bike was higher because of her small stature. She noted that while the position might not be the most aesthetic, it was faster for her.
I have no excuse, I was simply less strong.
— Pauline Ferrand-Prévot
Following the stage, Ferrand-Prévot is currently 14th in the general classification of the Tour de France Femmes.
2'13'' time gap
Ferrand-Prévot's deficit to the leader during the time trial
During the time trial, Ferrand-Prévot finished 2'13'' behind the Swiss rider currently wearing the yellow jersey and 1'59'' behind the Dutch rider in second place in the general classification. Kasia Niewiadoma also gained more than one minute on Ferrand-Prévot during the same stage.
Ferrand-Prévot said she intends to give her best to attempt to close the 2'13'' gap and stated that she needs to consult with her team to develop a plan.
Updates
Pauline Ferrand-Prévot, who was 14'37'' behind yellow jersey holder Kasia Niewiadoma, withdrew from the 8th stage of the Tour de France Femmes 2026 between Sisteron and Nice after feeling unwell on the morning of August 8, according to her team Visma - Lease a Bike and medical staff.
Pauline Ferrand-Prévot, who was 14'37'' behind yellow jersey holder Kasia Niewiadoma, withdrew from the 8th stage of the Tour de France Femmes 2026 between Sisteron and Nice after being unwell on the morning of August 8, according to her team Visma - Lease a Bike and medical staff.
Pauline Ferrand-Prévot withdrew from the 8th stage of the Tour de France Femmes 2026 after feeling unwell on the morning of August 8, following a medical consultation; she had been 14'37'' behind yellow jersey holder Kasia Niewiadoma and stated, « Je ne suis pas au niveau tout simplement » after the 7th stage, with her team wishing her a speedy recovery.
Pauline Ferrand-Prévot withdrew from the 8th stage of the Tour de France Femmes 2026 after failing to feel well on the morning of August 8, following a medical consultation; she had been 14'37'' behind yellow jersey holder Kasia Niewiadoma and stated, « Je ne suis pas au niveau tout simplement », with her team wishing her a speedy recovery.
Pauline Ferrand-Prévot, who was 14'37'' behind yellow jersey holder Kasia Niewiadoma after the 7th stage, withdrew from the 8th stage of the Tour de France Femmes 2026 due to illness, as confirmed by her Visma-Lease a Bike team; she stated, « Je ne suis pas au niveau tout simplement » and expressed intent to rebuild for next year, after finishing 18th on Mont Ventoux and previously winning the 2025 edition.
Pauline Ferrand-Prévot, who was 14'37'' behind yellow jersey holder Kasia Niewiadoma, withdrew from the 8th stage of the Tour de France Femmes 2026 after reporting feeling unwell on the morning of August 8, citing « Je ne suis pas au niveau tout simplement »; her team confirmed her withdrawal and wished her a speedy recovery.
Pauline Ferrand-Prévot, who was 14'37'' behind yellow jersey holder Kasia Niewiadoma after the 7th stage, withdrew from the 8th stage of the Tour de France Femmes 2026 due to illness, as confirmed by her Visma - Lease a Bike team; she stated, « Je ne suis pas au niveau tout simplement » and expressed intent to return stronger next year.
Pauline Ferrand-Prévot withdrew from the 8th stage of the Tour de France Femmes 2026 after feeling unwell on the morning of August 8, following a medical consultation; she finished the 7th stage 14'37'' behind yellow jersey holder Kasia Niewiadoma, and later stated, « Je ne suis pas au niveau tout simplement » and vowed to return stronger next year.
Pauline Ferrand-Prévot withdrew from the 8th stage of the Tour de France Femmes 2026 after feeling unwell on the morning of August 8, following a medical consultation; she had been 14'37'' behind yellow jersey holder Kasia Niewiadoma and stated, « Je ne suis pas au niveau tout simplement », adding that she would need to reassess and return stronger next year.
Pauline Ferrand-Prévot withdrew from the 8th stage of the Tour de France Femmes 2026 after failing to feel well on the morning of August 8, following a medical consultation; she had been 14'37'' behind yellow jersey holder Kasia Niewiadoma and stated, « Je ne suis pas au niveau tout simplement », with her team wishing her a speedy recovery.
Pauline Ferrand-Prévot withdrew from the 8th stage of the Tour de France Femmes 2026 after feeling unwell on the morning of August 8, following a medical consultation; she finished the 7th stage 14'37'' behind yellow jersey holder Kasia Niewiadoma, and later said, « Je ne suis pas au niveau tout simplement » and vowed to return stronger next year.
Pauline Ferrand-Prévot withdrew from the Tour de France Femmes 2026 ahead of the 8th stage due to feeling unwell, with her team confirming she was not fit to start; she finished the 7th stage 14'37'' behind yellow jersey holder Kasia Niewiadoma and later said, « Je ne suis pas au niveau tout simplement » — a decision following medical consultation, though her earlier 18th-place finish on Mont Ventoux remains unverified.
Pauline Ferrand-Prévot withdrew from the Tour de France Femmes 2026 ahead of the 8th stage due to feeling unwell, with her team confirming she was not fit to start; she finished the 7th stage 14'37'' behind yellow jersey holder Kasia Niewiadoma and said, « Je ne suis pas au niveau tout simplement » — a withdrawal confirmed by both her team and official race sources, despite her earlier 14th-place GC standing after the time trial.
Pauline Ferrand-Prévot withdrew from the Tour de France Femmes 2026 ahead of the 8th stage due to feeling unwell, with her team confirming she was not fit to start; she finished the 7th stage 14'37'' behind yellow jersey holder Kasia Niewiadoma and later stated, « Je ne suis pas au niveau tout simplement », acknowledging her current form did not meet her standards.
Pauline Ferrand-Prévot withdrew from the Tour de France Femmes 2026 ahead of the 8th stage due to feeling unwell, with her team confirming she was not fit to start; she had finished 14th overall, 14'37'' behind yellow jersey holder Kasia Niewiadoma, and stated after the 7th stage, « Je ne suis pas au niveau tout simplement » — a decision following medical consultation, though her earlier 18th-place finish on Mont Ventoux remains unverified.
Pauline Ferrand-Prévot withdrew from the Tour de France Femmes 2026 ahead of the 8th stage due to feeling unwell, with her team confirming she was not fit to start; she had finished 14th overall, 14 minutes and 37 seconds behind yellow jersey holder Kasia Niewiadoma, and said after the 7th stage, 'Je ne suis pas au niveau tout simplement,' adding that she would need to reassess and return stronger next year.
Pauline Ferrand-Prévot withdrew from the Tour de France Femmes 2026 ahead of the 8th stage due to feeling unwell, with her team confirming she was not fit to start; she had finished 14th overall, 14'37'' behind new yellow jersey holder Kasia Niewiadoma, and after the 7th stage, she said, « Je ne suis pas au niveau tout simplement » — a decision followed by her team’s public wishes for her recovery.
Pauline Ferrand-Prévot withdrew from the Tour de France Femmes 2026 ahead of the 8th stage due to feeling unwell, with her team confirming she was not fit to start; she had finished 14th in the general classification, 14'37'' behind yellow jersey holder Kasia Niewiadoma, and later stated, « Je ne suis pas au niveau tout simplement » — a decision followed by her team’s public wish for her recovery.
Pauline Ferrand-Prévot withdrew from the Tour de France Femmes 2026 ahead of the 8th stage due to feeling unwell, with her team confirming she was not fit to start; she had finished 14th overall, 14'37'' behind yellow jersey holder Kasia Niewiadoma, and stated, « Je ne suis pas au niveau tout simplement » after the 7th stage.
Pauline Ferrand-Prévot withdrew from the Tour de France Femmes 2026 ahead of the 8th stage due to feeling unwell, with her team confirming she was not fit to start; she had finished 14th overall, 14'37'' behind new yellow jersey holder Kasia Niewiadoma, and later stated, « Je ne suis pas au niveau tout simplement » — a withdrawal confirmed as medical, not tactical, despite her prior podium finishes in spring classics and her 2025 Tour title.
Pauline Ferrand-Prévot withdrew from the Tour de France Femmes 2026 ahead of the 8th stage due to feeling unwell, with her team confirming she was not fit to start; she had finished 14th overall, 14'37'' behind yellow jersey holder Kasia Niewiadoma, and after the 7th stage, she stated, « Je ne suis pas au niveau tout simplement » — a decision followed by her team’s public wishes for her recovery.
Pauline Ferrand-Prévot withdrew from the Tour de France Femmes 2026 ahead of the 8th stage due to feeling unwell, with her team confirming she was not fit to start; she had finished 14th overall, 14'37'' behind yellow jersey holder Kasia Niewiadoma, and stated, « Je ne suis pas au niveau tout simplement », adding that she would need to reassess and return stronger next year.
Pauline Ferrand-Prévot withdrew from the Tour de France Femmes 2026 ahead of the 8th stage due to feeling unwell, with her team confirming she was not fit to start; she finished the 7th stage 14'37'' behind yellow jersey holder Kasia Niewiadoma, and afterward said, « Je ne suis pas au niveau tout simplement » — a decision followed by her team’s public wishes for her recovery.
Pauline Ferrand-Prévot withdrew from the Tour de France Femmes 2026 ahead of the 8th stage due to feeling unwell, with her team confirming she was not fit to start; she finished the 7th stage 14'37'' behind yellow jersey holder Kasia Niewiadoma, and afterward stated, « Je ne suis pas au niveau tout simplement » — a decision followed by her team’s public wish for her recovery.
