Pauline Ferrand-Prévot, the defending champion of the Women's Tour de France and Olympic mountain biking gold medalist at the 2024 Paris Olympics, withdrew from the race before the eighth and penultimate stage on Saturday, August 8, 2026. The decision was made after she felt unwell that morning.

Her team, Visma-Lease a Bike, announced on X that the withdrawal followed consultation with the team's medical staff. “Unfortunately, Pauline was not feeling well this morning. It has been decided that she will not start today,” the team said.

Ferrand-Prévot was in 14th place overall before the 172-kilometre flat stage from Sisteron to Nice, designed for sprinters. Meanwhile, Polish rider Katarzyna Niewiadoma-Phinney took the overall lead after a solo victory on Mont Ventoux, seizing the yellow jersey from Marlen Reusser on Friday.

Sources