Things didn\u2019t go to plan for fan favourite Australian Sarah Gigante on the final stage of the Tour de France Femmes.
As she\u2019s done throughout the race, AG Insurance\u2013Soudal pushed the pace hard on the Joux-Plane climb during the final stage of the Tour. But Sarah Gigante once again struggled on the technical descent and lost her chance at a podium finish.<\/p>\n
Strong up the climb, troubles on descent<\/p>\n
\u201cI was dropped quickly in the technical and long parts,\u201d Gigante told Sporza<\/a>. \u201cI didn\u2019t feel that strong already, so it became a super tough, lonely day.\u201d The Australian leader ultimately fell back to sixth place in the general classification.<\/p>\n Despite the disappointment, Gigante was positive. \u201cMy legs hurt,\u201d she said. \u201cOf course I\u2019m disappointed to miss the podium\u2014that was my goal\u2014but I have to look back with satisfaction. I did everything I could.\u201d<\/p>\n Her teammate Justine Ghekiere, said the team faced challenges throughout the stage. \u201cAfter the Joux-Plane, we were not there enough as a team for Sarah,\u201d Ghekiere said. \u201cWe all had a bad day. I wasn\u2019t able to survive the climb either, and we were under pressure from the start.\u201d<\/p>\n Gigante, however, praised her squad\u2019s effort. \u201cNo, my team was just great. I just didn\u2019t have the legs to finish it,\u201d she said. Earlier, she revealed she\u2019d received several harsh messages<\/a> criticizing her descending skills\u2014something totally uncalled for in sport.<\/p>\n Looking ahead, the duo is determined to return stronger next year. \u201cWe can be proud of our Tour,\u201d Gigante said. \u201cEveryone has seen we\u2019re no longer a small team. And that podium? That will come.\u201d<\/p>\n #ENTREVISTA<\/a> Sarah Gigante \u201cParecia\u2026 dor, desgosto e esperan\u00e7a, tudo ao mesmo tempo.\u201d A australiana lutou durante a etapa final do #TDFF2025<\/a> , caindo do 2\u00ba lugar geral para o 6\u00ba, apesar de uma disputa acirrada com as melhores do mundo! #WatchTheFemmes<\/a>pic.twitter.com\/aNYMHkkoeZ<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 BikeBlz (@BikeBlz) August 4, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n Pauline Ferrand-Pr\u00e9vot made history Sunday by becoming the first French cyclist to claim victory in the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift in four years. She sealed her win with a strong performance on the final stage.<\/p>\n Last year\u2019s champion, Katarzyna Niewiadoma, secured a spot on the final podium, edging out Gigante. Richmond, B.C.\u2019s Nadia Gontova had a brilliant ride to finish 10th. Sherbrooke\u2019s Magdeleine Valli\u00e8res was the top Canadian<\/a>, coming in a very excellent 18th overall.<\/p>\n Sarah Gigante completely in shock and crying after losing her podium spot in the Tour de France Femmes. Even journalists were crying. pic.twitter.com\/9Qj2zdEXW7<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Julian Dubbeld (@Julian_Dubbeld) August 3, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n