Host nation France celebrated another triumph as cycling superstar Pauline Ferrand-Prévot secured a gold medal in the women’s cross-country mountain bike race at the Olympics. The 32-year-old athlete, widely regarded as one of the best cyclists of her generation, completed the race in a remarkable time of 1:26:02.
Ferrand-Prévot's victory was met with emotional scenes as she crossed the finish line almost three minutes ahead of her closest competitor. The enthusiastic crowd that had gathered to support her added to the jubilant atmosphere at the event.
With an illustrious career that includes five cross-country world championship gold medals and a road race world title, Ferrand-Prévot had previously come close to Olympic glory but had never clinched the coveted gold medal until this momentous occasion.
American cyclist Haley Batten secured the silver medal with a finishing time of 1:28:59, while Sweden’s Jenny Rissveds claimed the bronze medal, crossing the line in 1:29:04.
