Ferrand-Prévot triumphs on the Col de la Madeleine

The Olympic champion and five-time world champion in mountain biking won the eighth stage of the women's Tour de France and took the lead in the overall classification before the final stage.

On the final climb of the queen stage up the legendary Col de la Madeleine, the 33-year-old pulled away irresistibly and is now a good two and a half minutes ahead of Australian Sarah Gigante. The previous leader, Kim Le Court from Mauritius, gave up the yellow jersey without a fight, so to speak, by putting herself at the service of her teammate Gigante.

Elise Chabbey rode actively, collected more mountain prize points and extended her lead in this special classification. In the end, the Geneva rider lost over a quarter of an hour to Ferrand-Prévot, but remains the best Swiss rider in the overall standings in 23rd place.

Another mountain stage to Portes du Soleil follows on Sunday.