Pauline Ferrand-Prévot, the reigning Olympic mountain bike champion and a multi-discipline world champion, is embarking on a new chapter in her career. The 32-year-old Frenchwoman has signed a three-year contract with Visma-Lease a Bike, focusing solely on road racing as she aims to win the Tour de France Femmes.
Ferrand-Prévot, who has spent the last decade excelling across various cycling disciplines, explained her decision to shift gears. “I needed change after the Olympics. I still love cycling, but I didn’t want to do the same thing again,” she said at a team event. The mountain bike will now stay in the shed as she transitions to full-time road racing.
Her move to the Dutch team was influenced in part by her partner, Dylan van Baarle, who also rides for Visma-Lease a Bike. “Seeing him happy here gave me confirmation this was the right place,” she shared, though she noted that her choice was based on her own ambitions. The team’s history of success, including Jonas Vingegaard’s Tour de France victories, played a significant role in her decision.
Ferrand-Prévot admitted that the transition will come with challenges. Reflecting on her experience at the World Championships in Zurich, she said, “The pace was high from the start, and unlike mountain biking, there’s no time to recover in the descents. It’s a completely different sport.”
Photo Credit: GettyDespite the steep learning curve, Ferrand-Prévot is optimistic. “When I look at my numbers and values on the bike, I know I can be very good. It’s just a matter of adapting to the peloton again,” she explained. She is already working closely with a nutritionist to prepare her body for the demands of multi-day stage races, a format she hasn’t previously tackled.
The Frenchwoman is also excited to work alongside icons of women’s cycling, including Marianne Vos, who remains a teammate at Visma-Lease a Bike. “Lotte Kopecky and Vos are examples for me. Lotte is a classy rider, and Marianne’s respect and dedication are inspiring,” she said.
Her primary objective is clear: to win the Tour de France Femmes. “That’s the goal,” she stated firmly. However, she recognises the strength of the competition, particularly among Dutch riders. “The level is very high. I’m motivated by seeing how strong riders like Demi Vollering are.”
As Ferrand-Prévot prepares to begin her new journey, she is set to take lessons in Dutch to better integrate with the team. “So far, I can only say frikandel,” she joked, but the ambition and focus behind her light-hearted remarks were evident.
Her programme for 2025 has not yet been finalised, but one thing is certain: Ferrand-Prévot has her eyes firmly set on making an impact in the women’s peloton.
