"Demi Vollering and Pauline Ferrand-Prévot discuss the importance of maintaining good health during the Tour de France Femmes, when asked about the topic of rider weights."
In the recently concluded Tour de France Femmes, two standout cyclists, Pauline Ferrand-Prévot and Demi Vollering, have emphasized the importance of health over weight when it comes to performance in cycling.
Marianne Vos, the first stage winner, took the yellow jersey, while Ferrand-Prévot finished in third place. Vollering stood in the runner-up spot at the end of the race.
Both riders have taken a balanced approach to weight management, prioritizing their health above all else. Vollering, known for her power as a climber, focuses on being healthy rather than hitting a specific weight target. She recovered fully from illness and promotes a positive body image to inspire younger athletes.
Ferrand-Prévot, on the other hand, made a specific choice to reduce her weight for the Tour de France Femmes, but only under careful nutritional guidance. She admitted that maintaining that low weight isn't fully healthy long term and that it was a deliberate, temporary choice for competition.
The two riders have spoken out about the importance of addressing public concerns about body image and the responsibility they feel as role models. Ferrand-Prévot mentioned the criticism she received online but stressed the need for parental guidance when young people look up to athletes. Vollering spoke about promoting mental health and strength over just thinness, aiming to lead by example that power and hard work matter more than being "super, super skinny."
Cédrine Kerbaol, who finished eighth overall in the Tour de France Femmes, has also been vocal about the topic. She has a diploma in nutrition studies and created an Instagram account, @f.e.e.d_powr, to raise awareness on the topic. Kerbaol believes her speaking out on the topic has started to break the taboo and can have a positive prevention effect.
Olympic champion Kristen Faulkner and Magdeleine Vallieres have shared their stories on Kerbaol's Instagram account, further highlighting the importance of open discussions about health, periods, and performance in cycling.
In the end, both Ferrand-Prévot and Vollering have shown that it is possible to balance the performance demands of their sport with the importance of health and positive body image. They recognize that weight management in cycling is complex and must prioritize well-being.
[1] The Guardian
[2] Cycling Weekly
[3] The Telegraph
[4] ESPN
[5] BBC Sport
- The Tour de France Femmes participants, such as Pauline Ferrand-Prévot and Demi Vollering, are advocating for health-and-wellness, emphasizing mental health, women's health, and overall well-being over just physical appearance or weight.
- Fitness-and-exercise and sports excellence can be achieved without sacrificing health, as demonstrated by athletes like Marianne Vos, Ferrand-Prévot, and Vollering, who are inspiring young athletes by promoting healthy weight management and positive body image.
- Olympian Kristen Faulkner, Magdeleine Vallieres, and Cédrine Kerbaol are using their platforms to discuss open topics like health, periods, and performance in cycling, promoting awareness for issues related to nutrition, mental strength, and the importance of addressing body image concerns in sports.
