Ferrand-Prévot's Title Defence Fades As Blasi Drops To Tenth

The Beaujolais hills brought a major reshuffle in the Tour de France Femmes. Defending champion Pauline Ferrand-Prévot lost 2:35 on the leading trio, while Paula Blasi conceded 2:27 and slipped to tenth overall, 3:51 behind race leader Marlen Reusser.

The decisive selection began on the Col de Durbize when FDJ United-SUEZ increased the pressure and Demi Vollering attacked. Ferrand-Prévot was among the first general-classification contenders unable to hold the pace. Her deficit leaves a second consecutive Tour victory looking increasingly unlikely before the race reaches its biggest mountains.

Blasi also lost contact during the acceleration. The Spaniard later worked for UAE teammates Dominika Wlodarczyk and Elisa Longo Borghini, turning a difficult personal day into a support role for riders who remain better placed overall.

The result also cost Blasi the white jersey. She now sits third in the youth classification, 1:11 behind Antonia Niedermaier. Her first Tour is not over, but its meaning has changed: rather than fighting immediately for yellow, she may now target a stage opportunity or become a key helper in UAE's mountain strategy.