"Pauline Ferrand-Prevet defends her weight loss as the reason for her Tour de France triumph"
The Tour de France Femmes, the much-anticipated women's equivalent of the prestigious cycling event, has sparked a conversation about the impact of weight loss on female cyclists' performance and health. Two prominent riders, Pauline Ferrand-Prévot and Demi Vollering, have provided contrasting perspectives on this topic.
Pauline Ferrand-Prévot, a multiple-time cyclocross world champion, openly admitted to losing around 4 kilograms in preparation for the challenging mountain stages of the 2025 Tour de France Femmes. This deliberate weight loss was aimed at optimising her power-to-weight ratio, a crucial factor for climbing performance. Ferrand-Prevot emphasised that her body was fine-tuned for the specific terrain, with this weight loss being a temporary adjustment aligned with the demands of the race [3].
In stark contrast, Demi Vollering emphasised the importance of prioritising health over weight loss. Despite suggestions that losing weight might help her compete better with lighter climbers like Ferrand-Prévot, Vollering chose not to pursue aggressive weight loss, especially after recovering from illness. Vollering stressed that being healthy and maintaining strength were her top priorities, rejecting the notion that being "super skinny" is necessary for success [1][2][4][5].
Both athletes illustrate the complex relationship between weight, performance, and health in elite women’s cycling. Weight loss can indeed improve climbing ability by enhancing watts per kilogram, which is vital in mountain-heavy stages, as demonstrated by Ferrand-Prévot's strategy and race win [3][5]. However, overemphasis on weight loss risks physical and mental health issues. Vollering's stance reflects a growing awareness and rejection of unhealthy weight-focused culture in cycling [1][2][4].
While strategic, temporary weight loss can be a performance tool for female cyclists in events like the Tour de France Femmes, the foremost priority remains health, recovery, and strength to sustain high-level competition and long-term well-being. Cedrine Kerbaol, a dietitian and rider in the Tour de France, expressed concerns about the impact of weight loss on young female riders and warned about the potential slippery slope of pursuing thinness in the peloton [6].
Ferrand-Prevot, who won the last two stages of the Tour de France in the Alps and the general classification, defended her approach to weight loss, stating it was not extreme and done with team supervision. She also called on parents to explain her weight loss was for the Tour de France and not her usual state [2]. Vollering, Ferrand-Prevot's main rival, indirectly criticised Ferrand-Prevot's weight loss, while Vollering expressed hope to win again in the future with her current weight [1].
The conversation around weight, performance, and health in women's cycling continues to evolve, with athletes like Vollering setting a positive example for young riders. Vollering expressed pride in her weight and desire to be a good example, while Ferrand-Prevot assured that she will not maintain her current weight indefinitely [2]. As the Tour de France Femmes gears up for its inaugural edition, these discussions are more relevant than ever, highlighting the importance of a balanced approach to weight management in elite sports.
References:
- BBC Sport
- Cycling Weekly
- CyclingTips
- VeloNews
- ESPN
- Cycling Weekly
- The Tour de France Femmes, a health-and-wellness topic gaining traction, revolves around the impact of weight loss on female cyclists' performance and overall health.
- Cyclists Demi Vollering and Pauline Ferrand-Prévot offer contrasting views, with Vollering advocating for prioritizing health over weight loss, while Ferrand-Prevot strategically loses weight for certain events to optimize her power-to-weight ratio.
- In the realm of sports, women's health, fitness-and-exercise, and science intersect, revealing the complex relationship between weight, performance, and health in women's cycling, with the ultimate emphasis on maintaining health, recovery, and strength for sustaining high-level competition and long-term well-being.
