Ally Wollaston continued her fine run of form by taking victory on the opening stage of the 2025 Tour Féminin International des Pyrénées in Barbazan-Debat on Friday. The FDJ-Suez rider surged past VolkerWessels Pro Cycling duo Eline Jansen and Margot Vanpachtenbeke in the final 100 metres to seal her fifth win of the season.
The 112.6km first stage, which ran from Arzacq-Arraziguet to Barbazan-Debat, was mostly rolling, with one short climb of 2 kilometres at 4% inside the final 10 kilometres. Wollaston coped well with the repeated attacks on the final slopes before positioning herself perfectly for the sprint. On the right-hand bend into the finish straight, she launched her decisive acceleration to take the stage and the leader’s jersey.
Wollaston, who recently won the overall at the Tour of Britain Women, said she was thrilled with her first victory on French soil for her new FDJ-Suez team. “I’m really proud to win here in France,” she explained after the stage. “It’s an important race for the team because it’s in their home country. We showed our strength as a group today.”
With her FDJ-Suez teammates supporting her all the way to the line, Wollaston also revealed she had the confidence to go with every move on the final climb. “I felt very strong,” she added. “UAE tried a few moves there, but I stayed at the front and even crested the summit in second place. Marie Le Net did a perfect lead-out, and then it was up to me to finish it off.”
The New Zealander admitted her results so far this season have taken her by surprise. “Honestly, my results surprise me a little,” she said. “I’m so happy to continue my momentum after winning the Tour of Britain. It’s always special to win in Europe.”
This was her fifth victory of 2025 and her first race in France under the FDJ-Suez colours after moving from AG Insurance-Soudal this winter. “The team is very professional and has ambitious plans,” Wollaston added. “When I spoke with them last year, I felt absolute confidence. Their support is incredible.”
With two more stages to come in the Pyrénées, Wollaston was realistic about her chances on the summit finish up the Col du Soulor on Saturday. “That stage doesn’t suit me, I’m not a climber,” she acknowledged. “We’ll see what happens, but we have a very strong team and I’ll work for someone else on the climb.” On Sunday, the final stage offers a more undulating profile, and she hopes to fight for another good result if she can survive the mountainous day before.
With this win, Wollaston now wears the leader’s jersey going into the next stage, while Jansen and Vanpachtenbeke also occupy the podium spots on general classification. Heidi Franz of Cynisca Cycling holds a slim lead in the mountains classification after stage one, two points ahead of Wollaston.
2025 Tour des Pyrénées Stage 1 result
Results powered by FirstCycling.com
Main photo credit: Cor Vos
