French Young Talent Can End Famine

After a superb Tour de France raced entirely on French soil, there is plenty for the host nation to cheer about, but the absence of a French winner remains a national sore point.

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PARIS — After a superb Tour de France raced entirely on French soil, there is plenty for the host nation to cheer about, but the absence of a French winner remains a national sore point.

It is 40 years since Bernard Hinault won the last of his five Tours de France. Since then, the host nation has waited — not always patiently — for a successor. But 2025 has produced some cheer for the home fans as they look ahead.

It is true that none of the five French teams on the roster landed either a stage win or a place on the final podium, but Valentin Paret-Peintre produced some heroics to grab a memorable Stage 16 win on Mont Ventoux.

Kevin Vauquelin and Jordan Jegat both finished in the top 10, while Vauquelin and Lenny Martinez, just 22, wore the white (best Under-26 rider) and polka-dot (best climber) jerseys for spells.