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-Prevot becomes the first French winner of the Tour de France Femmes for 36 years as she triumphs on stage nine.