It helps, with all this, that France has its first winner of the Tour de France Femmes after four editions, Ferrand-Prévot, already an icon after her road, cyclo-cross and mountain biking exploits, adding yet another trophy to her cabinet. A second Demi Vollering win would not have had the same impact.

Suspense, field depth and local heroes alongside broader global interest not only made a compelling edition, but paint a rosy picture of what's in store for the future

Pauline Ferrand-Prévot is the first French winner of the Tour de France Femmes. After 1,165 kilometers (over 700 miles), nine days of action, three yellow-jersey wearers and four stage winners, the most prestigious event on the women’s road-racing calendar has drawn to a close.