Amandine Fouquenet continues to kill it on the ‘cross circuit…but 2026 is around the corner and she has no contract.
The 24-year-old pro finished second at the World Cup round in Gavere on Friday. Lucinda Brand–who has been unbeatable, took another dub. That was Fouquenet ‘s third World Cup podium of the season. She also took a huge win at the Superprestige victory in Heusden-Zolder.
She remains one of the most in-form French riders in the discipline after the collapse of Arkéa–B&B Hotels, yet is still searching for a team for next year, according to L’Équipe.
Big week for Fouquenet
In Gavere, Brand made the decisive move midway through the race. Fouquenet fought off a late charge from Puck Pieterse to take second. At Heusden-Zolder, she became the first French woman to take an international cyclocross win since Pauline Ferrand-Prévôt in 2017.
“I’m able to make it happen,” Fouquenet said. She added that she hopes her form will “strengthen the choices of the teams” considering her for next season.
Earlier this week, Fouquenet had spoken candidly about the uncertainty surrounding her future. “I live like this, hoping that the phone rings and that the situation unlocks,” she said, explaining that she has tried to race without the pressure of proving herself to potential employers.
Canadian Rafaelle Carrier earns Junior bronze at CX world championships
For now, the results keep coming. Whether they translate into a contract remains the unanswered question.
Another rider who is with Arkéa–B&B Hotels and hasn’t yet announced her plans for next year is Rafaelle Carrier. The Lac-Beauport, Que. rider had a terrific ride at the same Superprestige race her teammate won, taking tenth.
The rider, who is only 18, rode superbly with the experienced elites, and was the second best under-23 rider. Carrier, who has medalled in multiple disciplines in the sport, is one of the big favourites for the worlds in her category in Hulst, The Netherlands. Hopefully she too can get picked up. Both women are incredible talents in the sport.
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