Just when you thought Pauline Ferrand-Prévot’s career couldn’t get any more successful, it is about to launch into the stratosphere with her new two-year deal and targeted goals with Ineos Grenadiers.
Her name is synonymous with versatility, strength, winning world titles, and wearing rainbow jerseys. She’s made a career out of following her intuition and independence as she navigates a successful career in multiple disciplines of professional cycling.
In her debut with Ineos Grenadiers, set to begin on January 1, Ferrand-Prévot will chase another world title at the UCI Cyclo-cross World Championships on February 4 in Hoogerheide, to add to her growing collection of rainbow jerseys, and capitalising on what she says is the form of her life.
“Yes, the main goal of the cyclo-cross season will be to try to be World Champion,” said Ferrand-Prévot.
“I will start with no points at the beginning of the season, so I will have to be good to try to make points and to be able to be in the second or third row at the World Championships. It will be a challenge, but I like it. It’s been a few years without cyclo-cross, so I’m feeling motivated to do this one.”
Ferrand-Prévot hasn’t raced cyclo-cross in several years, partly due to her contract with mountain bike team Absolute Absalon–BMC, whose sponsor didn’t make cyclo-cross bikes, and partly due to back-to-back injuries.
She underwent two separate surgeries in 2019 and 2020 to correct double iliac artery endofibrosis, from which she has fully recovered.
“I really missed cyclo-cross, and I had twice the surgery, and it was impossible to make it. After that, with the Olympics, it was complicated. Also BMC didn’t have a cyclo-cross bike. So, that’s why I’m super motivated to race cyclo-cross because I really wanted to do it, but it was impossible. It will be a great winter and preparation for the MTB season,” she said.
“We found out I needed surgery for this iliac injury, and after that, I felt I could give my best. I tried to come back, and I wasn’t at my best in the past years, but now I found my best shape ever. It’s pretty good to feel that you can win races and feel motivated to go to training. I think about things like what makes me feel good and what makes me happy. In general, I’m feeling very happy.”
More rainbows await in cyclo-cross
Should Ferrand-Prévot win the world title at the Cyclo-cross World…
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