Worlds 'would have been clearly different' with radios, says Ferrand-Prevot

Pauline Ferrand-Prévot was the favourite for the rainbow jersey after her remarkable 2025 season, but she was unable to make an impression on an elite women’s road race that spiralled beyond her control at the World Championships in Kigali.

Already winner of Paris-Roubaix and the Tour de France Femmes this year, Ferrand-Prévot had designs on adding a second world road title to her palmarès, but the Frenchwoman had to settle for 16th place, 1:50 down on surprise winner Magedeleine Valliares (Canada).

Ferrand-Prévot conceded afterwards that she and rival Demi Vollering (Netherlands) had been guilty of marking one another too tightly, allowing the winning move to drift clear with a little over two laps of the circuit remaining.

“We marked each other quite a bit,” Ferrand-Prévot told Eurosport. “I was waiting for Demi to attack, and she was waiting for me to attack. We allowed a move to go clear. It’s often the case at a championship race – it can be more tactical than physical.” 

Ferrand-Prévot launched a couple of efforts on the final lap, but she never looked like getting back on terms with the leaders, nor did she succeed in permanently shaking off Vollering, who would eventually take seventh place. France’s best finisher in Kigali was Juliette Labous, who took 13th at 1:39.

“To be honest, I wasn’t the strongest,” Ferrand-Prévot said. “I was lacking power on the pavé. I’m not disappointed for myself, but I am more disappointed for the team, who put their confidence in me today. But we have another chance next week at the European Championship, and I want to get even.”

Radio earpieces are prohibited in World Championships road races, and Ferrand-Prévot maintained that the lack of clear and prompt information had contributed to the chaotic feel to the race.

“It would have been clearly different [with radios],” Ferrand-Prévot said. “We get given the gaps, but it’s hard to see them on the chalkboard. It’s old school.

“When the directeur sportif tells us what we should do, it’s a bit easier. But it’s like that for everybody. And that’s the beauty of a championship race, it can be a bit random. But we have a nice winner.”