Historic Weekend for French Sports: Cycling, Rugby, and Tennis Triumph

Brive-la-Gaillarde, France — Over the weekend of April 12-13, 2025, French sports achieved remarkable successes, highlighted by a historic win in cycling, rugby victories, and notable performances in tennis. This surge of achievements saw the tricolor flag flying high across various sporting events.

In a defining moment for French cycling, Pauline Ferrand-Prévôt claimed victory at the iconic Paris-Roubaix race, marking the first French win at the venue in 28 years. The 33-year-old cyclist’s victory came after an aggressive push before the cobblestone section of Camphin-en-Pévèle, finishing solo to pour over the finish line. “It was an emotional victory, and the support from home pushed me to keep going,” Ferrand-Prévôt stated, reflecting on her triumph.

On the men’s side, Tadej Pogačar of Slovenia faced an unfortunate setback, crashing out of the race while in contention, leaving Mathieu van der Poel to take the win. “It was disappointing, but that’s cycling,” Pogačar shared post-race.

French tennis also showcased talent, with Carlos Alcaraz securing his 18th career title at the Monte Carlo Masters on April 13. The Spaniard defeated Italy’s Lorenzo Musetti 3-6, 6-1, 6-0, after Musetti injured his right thigh. “I’m happy with how I played this week, and I look forward to the upcoming Grand Slam,” Alcaraz stated.

In rugby, the French national team continued their strong performance with a decisive 42-12 victory over Wales in a World Cup qualifying match held in Brive-la-Gaillarde. This win marks their third consecutive triumph after beating Ireland and Scotland. Coach Fabien Galthié praised his team’s effort and added, “We are focused and ready to take on the challenges ahead.”

The weekend also showcased developments in the Champions Cup, as both Bordeaux-Bègles and Stade Toulousain advanced to the semi-finals. Bordeaux-Bègles scored a significant 47-29 victory, while Stade Toulousain triumphed narrowly with a final penalty kick sealing their 21-18 win against Toulon. Ramos, who scored the decisive penalty, remarked, “It was nerve-wracking but we aimed for victory, and we got it.”

As the weekend unfolded, the excitement across various sports captivated fans, highlighting France’s diverse athletic capabilities.