Pauline Ferrand-Prevot wins Paris-Roubaix debut after illness and crash

French rider triumphs in her first Paris-Roubaix appearance, overcoming sickness and a mid-race crash to claim a historic solo victory.

Pauline Ferrand-Prévot of France rides in the breakaway during the 5th edition of Paris-Roubaix Femmes, a 148.5km one-day race from Denain to Roubaix, on April 12, 2025, in Roubaix, France. Photo by Etienne Garnier/Getty Images

By Anna Fadiah and Hayu Andini

Pauline Ferrand-Prevot’s Paris-Roubaix debut could not have been more dramatic or triumphant. The French cyclist from Team Visma overcame illness, a crash, and a bike change to win the women’s edition of the legendary cobbled classic on Saturday. In her first Paris-Roubaix appearance, the 33-year-old Olympic mountain bike champion crossed the finish line at the Roubaix velodrome alone, one minute ahead of her closest challengers, cementing her status as one of the most versatile and determined riders in the sport.

Ferrand-Prevot’s remarkable victory adds another chapter to her already illustrious career and brings a symbolic reward—her own cobblestone trophy, a matching piece to the one her partner Dylan van Baarle won in the men’s race three years ago. The couple now shares more than a home and a team—they share a place in Paris-Roubaix history.

From illness and doubt to solo glory

The journey to Ferrand-Prevot’s Paris-Roubaix win began not on the starting line in Denain, but days before, when she was unsure if she could race at all. "I've been sick the last few days and wasn't sure to ride," she revealed after the race, still recovering from the exertion. It was a frank admission that underscored the magnitude of her achievement.

The 148km women’s course, now in its fifth edition, is a brutal affair, crossing some of the roughest roads in northern France. Known for breaking riders’ spirits and bikes alike, Paris-Roubaix demands both physical strength and mental resolve. Ferrand-Prevot’s race included a fall and a necessary bike change, costing her precious seconds and threatening to derail her chances before they truly began.

But she had a powerful ally—teammate and cycling legend Marianne Vos. “Marianne waited for me and together we managed to get back to the lead group,” she said. Vos herself fought for the podium but ended up fourth, just missing out in a photo finish.

Breaking away with 15km to go

Ferrand-Prevot made her winning move with around 15km left in the race. Timing it perfectly, she broke free from the reduced peloton and never looked back. As the cobblestone sectors claimed more victims and split the chase group behind her, Ferrand-Prevot powered on with grit and poise.

She entered the Roubaix velodrome alone, met by roaring applause from the crowd. Her face showed exhaustion but also joy, and as she raised her arms to celebrate, her wide smile betrayed the emotion of the moment. Clocking a time of 3 hours, 40 minutes, and 7 seconds, she sat down immediately after finishing, overwhelmed by fatigue and tears.

Behind her, Italy's Letizia Borghesi claimed second place and Dutch sprinter Lorena Wiebes finished third in the frantic sprint for the remaining podium spots.

"It’s my first win and maybe the last,” Ferrand-Prevot joked, before adding, “I suffered so much out there on the cobbles.” It was a lighthearted moment from a rider known for her competitive fire, and yet there was a hint of truth in her words. Paris-Roubaix is not a race that many win more than once—it takes a toll on every part of the body and demands complete focus from start to finish.

A return to road racing with grand ambitions

Pauline Ferrand-Prevot’s Paris-Roubaix debut win comes in her first full season back on the road circuit after nearly a decade of focusing on off-road disciplines. Her resume already includes multiple world titles across cyclo-cross, mountain bike, and gravel racing. But in 2025, she returned to road racing with Team Visma, bringing with her a renewed ambition: to win the Tour de France Femmes.

“My main goal is to win the Tour de France within the next three years,” she said after the race. “We have a good team and a good project, and every reason to hope for success.” Her victory at Paris-Roubaix could be the momentum she needs to chase that dream, showing she can not only endure the toughest conditions but excel in them.

This win also adds a layer of narrative symmetry to her career. In 2022, she won the inaugural gravel world championship. Now, just three years later, she has conquered the cobbles of Roubaix, known by many as “The Hell of the North.” Few riders have shown such dominance across cycling’s varied terrain.

Though only in its fifth year, the women’s Paris-Roubaix has quickly become a prestigious and respected event. Starting in Denain and covering 148 kilometers of punishing terrain, it features the same iconic cobbled sectors that make the men’s race so feared and revered—Carrefour de l’Arbre, Mons-en-Pévèle, and the Trouée d’Arenberg among them.

The growing popularity of the women’s race reflects a broader push for parity and visibility in cycling. Ferrand-Prevot’s win—especially in her comeback season—adds to the legitimacy and excitement surrounding the event. It’s a race that is no longer a mere side show to the men’s edition, but a must-watch in its own right.

Sharing Roubaix glory with van Baarle

The human element of Ferrand-Prevot’s Paris-Roubaix triumph is also a romantic one. Her partner, Dutch rider Dylan van Baarle, won the men’s edition in 2022, and now both share the rare honor of conquering the most brutal race in cycling.

“It’s great we’ve both got one of the paving stones now,” she said with a grin. “We’ll have two at home now.”

It’s a fitting symbol for a cycling couple who both ride for Team Visma and continue to push boundaries in their sport. As van Baarle prepares to start Sunday’s men’s edition, he’ll ride with the knowledge that his partner has already made history this weekend.

The men’s 122nd edition of Paris-Roubaix kicks off Sunday from Compiegne, with van Baarle lining up alongside teammate Wout van Aert. Both are considered top contenders. Yet all eyes will likely be on another debutant—Tour de France champion Tadej Pogacar, who is tackling the race for the first time. Just as Ferrand-Prevot turned heads with her debut victory, Pogacar’s participation is drawing global attention.

For now, though, the spotlight belongs to Pauline Ferrand-Prevot. Her performance on Saturday was not only a personal triumph but also a bold statement about what is possible when resilience, experience, and heart meet on cycling’s most punishing roads.

Her Paris-Roubaix debut, filled with setbacks and triumphs, has already become one of the most memorable moments in the race’s short but significant women’s history.