Defending champion Pauline Ferrand-Prévot (Visma-Lease a Bike) may have already conceded that her Tour de France Femmes GC bid was likely over a few days ago, but she was still hoping to salvage a result from this race. Unfortunately, after a punishing day on Mont Ventoux, she is still waiting for that comeback.
Despite vowing to keep going in search of success here, and many pointing to Ventoux as a long climb that might suit her abilities even if she's been struggling with the punchier efforts, it wasn't a much better day for the Frenchwoman, who was one of the first major riders to be dropped at the base of the climb.
