The 33-year-old’s victory was not just a personal triumph, but the crowning glory for women’s cycling’s biggest race

French rider Pauline Ferrand-Prévôt won the women's Tour de France in her first attempt, launching an attack to clinch the final stage and increase her overnight lead.

After returning to road cycling only one year ago, the 33-year-old French rider claimed victory in the final stage on Sunday in Châtel and secured the last major title missing from her all-terrain cycling career.