### Paris-Roubaix 2025: a big step for female cycling
On April 12, 2025, the fifth female edition of Paris-Roubaix marked the history of cycling with the victory of Pauline Ferrand-Prévot. This performance does not only represent a sporting feat, but also a symbol of the evolution and the growing recognition of female cycling on the international scene.
#### A historical issue
Pauline Ferrand-Prévot, runner of the Visma-Lease A Bike team, became the first Frenchwoman to win an edition of Paris-Roubaix. This victory is all the more significant considering that this race, often described as “northern hell”, is one of the most prestigious on the cycling calendar. It is part of a context where female cycling is still struggling to obtain the same visibility and the same level of attention as its male counterparts.
The direction of this race, which opened its doors to women in 2021, made it possible to start a dialogue on equality in sport. However, it is essential to ask a few questions: is media coverage up to the performance of female athletes? Are the sponsors head for female cycling with the same enthusiasm as they do for men?
#### Performance and emotion
By winning the race with more than a minute ahead of its rivals, including the Italian Letizia Borghesi and the Dutch Lorena Wiebes, Ferrand-Prévot not only demonstrated its pure talent, but also its ability to manage the pressures inherent in such a competition. His attack 25 km from the Roubaix Velodrome, which allowed him to detach himself from his opponents, underlines a careful preparation and an effective strategy during a particularly trying race.
This quest for performance is all the more fascinating in an environment where, historically, women had to take up much greater challenges than their male counterparts to obtain recognition and respect. As such, could Ferrand-Prévot’s victory inspire a new generation of female cyclists to continue their dreams despite the obstacles?
### The evolution of female cycling
It is important to replace this victory in a broader context. In recent years, there has been an increasing awareness of inequalities in sport, with a collective effort to promote female athletes. Media platforms, as well as sports federations, are starting to make efforts to balance the coverage between male and female competitions.
Despite this, challenges persist. How can we arouse a deeper interest of the public and sponsors for female races? What are the additional measures necessary to ensure that female athletes benefit from the same level of financing and support as their male counterparts?
#### A promising future
The success of Ferrand-Prévot in Paris-Roubaix could be a turning point not only for it, but for female cycling as a whole. It is possible that this victory opens up new doors, both in terms of sponsors and in the public perception of female athletes in cycling. At the same time, male runners like Mathieu Van der Poel, who himself won his third consecutive Paris-Roubaix, could play a role by supporting their female colleagues, amplifying their voice and highlighting their performances.
In conclusion, the 2025 edition of Paris-Roubaix instilled a wind of hope in French and world female cycling. However, this also raises important questions about the future of sport for women and the efforts to be made to ensure equal opportunities and resources. By celebrating these successes, we must also think about the ways to follow to maintain this dynamic and continue the quest for equity in sport.