Superb French victories, disillusionments, moments of history, records… Discover, in video, the sequences which animated the sports planet in 2025. Non-exhaustive list.
Valentin Paret-Painter victorious at Mont Ventoux
On the 2025 Tour de France, at the end of an intense and indecisive battle against Ben Healy, the Frenchman Valentin Paret-Peintre signed one of the greatest French successes of the summer. At the cost of a remarkable effort in the final kilometers, he won at the legendary summit of Mont Ventoux, securing a prestigious stage victory and becoming the fourth French rider in history to raise his arms on the “Giant of Provence”.
Alcaraz crowned for the second time at Roland Garros after an unbreathable final
Carlos Alcaraz lifted his second Porte d’Auteuil trophy after an incredible 5h22 final against Jannik Sinner. Long on the edge of the abyss, the Spaniard was down two sets to zero and had to save three match points before completely reversing the momentum. Driven by exceptional combativeness and an extraordinary mentality, he signed a spectacular comeback to win this Grand Slam, concluding this historic final with a passing of great beauty.
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Jimmy Gressier in gold in the 10,000 m
Jimmy Gressier was not among the favorites for these World Athletics Championships, but the Frenchman, author of an exceptional finish, created a surprise by winning the gold medal in the 10,000 m. After having managed to resist the attacks of the leading group, Gressier launched a final effort to overtake Kejelcha in the final straight.
The triumph of Pauline Ferrand-Prévot (JJ.E)
8e stage of the women’s Tour de France, Pauline Ferrand-Prévot wins at the top of the Col de la Madeleine, dons the yellow jersey. And shares his emotion with Marion Rousse, the director of the event. The next day, in Châtel, arrival of the 9e and last stage, “PFP” signs a second consecutive and serious stage victory, one year after the gold medal at the Paris 2024 Games in mountain biking, his name on the winners of the event. Before sharing his happiness and emotion in the arms of his parents. In its wake, audiences took off, spectators flocked. Tears could flow.
Armand Duplantis, a new world record in the pole vault
In Tokyo, Armand Duplantis once again broke his own pole vault world record. After two failures at 6.30 m, the 25-year-old Swede succeeded in his final attempt, setting his fourth major championship record. Already a three-time world champion, he celebrated his victory to the applause of the public, while his rival Emmanouíl Karalis pushed him to surpass himself. With this extra centimeter, the question remains: how high can it still rise?
First podium in F1 for Isack Hadjar
Before being made official at Red Bull for next season, the “Little Prost” experienced his first podium in Formula 1 this year. On August 31, at the Dutch Grand Prix, Isack Hadjar started fourth on the starting grid. After a very good race, the Frenchman benefited from the retirement of Lando Norris to move to 3rd. He will defend his place until the end to finish on the podium, just behind Oscar Piastri and Max Verstappen.
Senny Mayulu for PSG’s 5-0 in the Champions League final
Well ahead in the Champions League final, the young PSG player, Senny Mayulu, buried the hopes of Inter Milan. Only three minutes after entering the game, the young 19-year-old midfielder combined with Bradley Barcola and deceived Sommer with a left shot. He explodes with joy and then celebrates by running in all directions.
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Damian Penaud single best scorer among the Blues
At the start of the year, the winger of the XV of France, Damian Penaud, had already equaled the record of 38 tries with the Blues held by Serge Blanco. But against South Africa on November 8, Damian Penaud scored two new tries, bringing his tally to 40 for the French XV. He is now the only top scorer in the history of the Blues.
UBB celebrates its Champions Cup coronation in Bordeaux
The day after their victory in the Champions Cup final, the UBB players and staff presented the trophy to their supporters. Bus parade, crowded streets and Place des Quinconces packed with people… The European champions were welcomed as they should be. More than 40,000 people were present on site!
Loïs Boisson, 361st in the world, qualifies for the semi-final of Roland-Garros
It was the surprise that did good to French tennis. Loïs Boisson, 361st in the world, reached the semi-final of a Grand Slam tournament at Roland-Garros. The Frenchwoman notably beat world number 3, Jessica Pegula, in the round of 16, then world number 6, Mirra Andreeva, in the quarterfinals. Her journey will end against the winner of the tournament, Coco Gauff.
When Valentin Vacherot, 204th in the world, beats his cousin in the final in Shanghai
This is probably the surprise of the year in men’s tennis. In Shanghai, Valentin Vacherot became the lowest ranked player in history to win a Masters 1000. Starting from qualifying, he had 9 consecutive victories, notably beating Bublik, Machac, Rune and even Djokovic. In the final, the Monegasque found himself pitted against his cousin, Arthur Rinderknech, whom he beat in 3 sets.
Troy Parrott’s hat-trick goal sends Ireland into play-offs
Ireland’s savior has a name: Troy Parrott. At 23, he scored a hat-trick against Hungary, allowing his team to win 3-2 and at the same time qualify for the play-offs for the 2026 World Cup. His third goal in the 90th + 5, in the final moments of the match, ignited Ireland and condemned Hungary.
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Benoît Saint Denis knocks out Dariush in 16 seconds
The French fighter broke a record on the night of November 15-16. Opposed to Beneil Dariush during UFC 322, Benoît Saint Denis achieved the fastest knockout ever recorded by a Frenchman in the UFC. It took him barely 16 seconds to knock his opponent out. Thanks to this achievement, the “God of War” rose to 8th place in the lightweight rankings.
Lou Jeanmonnot misses the big crystal globe in the last corner
Separated by five points in the general classification of the Biathlon World Cup before the last race of the 2024-2025 season, Lou Jeanmonnot and Franziska Preuss engaged in a Homeric duel on the mass start in Oslo (Norway), to the point of competing for the big crystal globe during the final ski loop of the winter. But in the penultimate turn, at the end of the suspense, the Frenchwoman fell against her German opponent, victorious at the end of a finale as breathtaking as it was frustrating for the Habs. So close to the Grail…
Clément Noël rides at the worst of times
Another heartbreak in winter sports. Highly anticipated, Clément Noël was aiming for a first world title in the slalom, in Salbaach (Austria), last February. Imperial winner of the first round, the 2022 Olympic champion started last in the second to win the gold medal but he mounted, leaving the track and destroying all his chances of coronation… A coronation which went that day to Loïc Meillard, titled ahead of the Norwegian Atle Lie McGrath and the German Linus Strasser.
