Reigning champion Pauline Ferrand-Prvot pulls out of Tour de France Femmes ahead of stage 8 Citing illness, defending Tour de France Femmes champion Pauline Ferrand-Prvot has pulled out of the 2026 edition of the race ahead of stage 8, which starts in Sisteron and finishes in Nice. A day earlier, on stage 7s finish on Mont Ventoux, the Visma-Lease a Bike rider lost 10:44 to winner Kasia Niewiadoma-Phinney (Canyon-SRAM), finishing down in 18th place. Ferrand-Prvot was sitting 14th on the General Classification, 14:37 behind the yellow jersey at the time of her withdrawal. Unfortunately, Pauline was not feeling well this morning. In consultation with the medical staff, it has been decided that she will not start today, the team said in a statement on its social media accounts. We wish Pauline a speedy recovery! the statement added. More to come...