French rider Ferrand-Prevot solos to victory in women's Tour de France

Olympic mountain bike champion Ferrand-Prevot of Visma, who rejoined the road racing scene last year, took the overall title by a 3min 42sec margin over Dutch rider Demi Vollering.

She ended the long wait for a home Tour winner, dating back to 1989.

Last year's winner Katarzyna Niewiadoma of Poland finished third overall at 4min 09sec.

Ferrand-Prevot said she had achieved "the goal of her life as an athlete" after sealing victory in the mountains on the border with Switzerland.

"I came back on the road after my Olympic title, and I said I will try to win the Tour de France in the next three years," said the 33-year-old.

"So here I am, the first one! It was an amazing season with my team."

She adds to her 15 world titles in several cycling disciplines including mountain biking, cyclo-cross and road racing.

She becomes the first French rider to win the modern women's Tour de France in its fourth edition.

"At the summit! Pauline Ferrand-Prevot is making Tour de France history," French President Emmanuel Macron posted on social media.

"She turns effort into a resounding victory, difficulty into national pride. Bravo, champion!"

Jeannie Longo won the title 36 years ago in the race's former guise, the Tour de France Feminin.

Bernard Hinault was the last Frenchman to win the men's Tour de France in 1985 when he claimed his fifth title.

This season, after seven years devoted primarily to mountain biking, Ferrand-Prevot also won the Paris-Roubaix before focusing on preparing for the Tour.

"It was so difficult (this stage). I wanted to win here in the yellow jersey. It's a dream," she said.

Ferrand-Prevot finally won her first Olympic medal last year in Paris in her fourth Games, taking a dominant gold in the mountain biking cross-country event.