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.

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

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