"I am fully aware of my choices" – Pauline Ferrand-Prévot addresses weight loss critics before...
Pauline Ferrand-Prévot anticipated this question well in advance. "Finally, here it is," she remarked once the inquiry surfaced. Interestingly, this wasn't about her impressive victory at the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift, nor was it concerning her highly-anticipated debut at the Paris-Roubaix Femmes, or her ambitions for the upcoming season. Instead, the topic on everyone’s mind was her weight loss, which has been a recurring subject of discussion since last summer’s Tour.
During the race, where she ultimately clinched victory by a margin of nearly four minutes, Ferrand-Prévot faced criticism regarding her noticeably slimmer physique. In her press conference after winning last August, she disclosed that she received a significant amount of negative feedback online, with some comments suggesting she was “not a good role model for young people.” Nonetheless, she firmly stated that her decisions regarding her body were hers alone. It’s worth noting that male cyclists have historically engaged in weight reduction strategies for Grand Tours without facing the same level of scrutiny.
On Tuesday, she found herself addressing the topic once again. According to a report from DirectVelo, Ferrand-Prévot expressed her surprise over the extent of the debate surrounding her weight after the Tour.
"When I realized what was happening, I was mainly upset for my parents," she shared, concerned about whether they were reading some of the harsh critiques. She emphasized that for her, there was no real issue to escalate into a major controversy, as she felt confident she had done everything possible to prepare herself adequately for competition.
"What puzzled me was the notion that my weight loss was the sole reason for winning the Tour," she explained. "In truth, it was the culmination of extensive preparation, involving countless rigorous and targeted training sessions... That’s the fundamental reason behind my victory at the Tour.
"It’s not merely about shedding pounds; it also entails making sacrifices. If it were that simple, every female rider would weigh 30 kilograms less."
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In a conversation following the Tour with Tages-Anzeiger, Movistar cyclist Marlen Reusser highlighted that the new standard set by Ferrand-Prévot regarding weight creates pressure for others in the peloton. When asked about the backlash she endured, Ferrand-Prévot responded on Tuesday: "If I start paying attention to everything on social media, it wouldn’t be beneficial… It’s essential to filter out the noise. My family and my team provide the support I need – they are the ones I choose to listen to and trust, as they truly value my well-being."
The French athlete affirmed her intention to prepare in a similar manner for her title defense next summer. "This is actually a routine I've been accustomed to for my major competitions for approximately a decade," she revealed.
"I’m aware of my capabilities. We are part of a professional sport, surrounded by medical professionals and nutritionists, so there’s no reason not to strive for excellence. I aim to arrive at the 2026 Tour de France as the best version of myself, ready to contend for the title once more. I’ve always dedicated myself to thorough preparations, and I don’t plan to change that now."
Having previously held titles in road cycling, cyclo-cross, and mountain biking, Ferrand-Prévot is setting ambitious targets for her second season back on the road. "My aspiration is to compete for the highest positions in every race I participate in," she declared. "Last season, I performed admirably on several occasions, but I still wish to enhance my consistency.
"That’s going to be a challenge, but it’s one I am eager to embrace. I achieved podium finishes multiple times in 2025, yet deep down, I desire to secure more victories."
Her current racing calendar includes events such as Strade Bianche, the Tour of Flanders, La Flèche Wallonne, Liège-Bastogne-Liège, and the Vuelta Femenina, all leading up to the Tour. However, she is not anticipated to defend her title at Paris-Roubaix.
