The Olympic mountain bike champion Pauline Ferrand-Prévot began its transition to the road. The 32-year-old Frenchwoman found her new teammates this week. Visma | Lease a Bike in the racing department of the Dutch team. If she could not reveal her program, Pauline Ferrand-Prévot participated in a press conference where she discussed many subjects, between her current condition, her ambitions for the future, her new competitors…
Video – Pauline Ferrand-Prévot at a press conference
“Try to win the Tour de France”
How was your vacation and your return to training?
The break felt good. After the Games, I was very tired. I am happy to have been able to spend this time off with my family and loved ones. And here in my new team, I am very happy, there is a good atmosphere, like a big family, but still very organized. For the moment it’s okay, I hope it doesn’t change (smile).
Why did you choose to return to the road?
In any case, I didn’t want to do another mountain bike cycle until the 2028 Olympics. But I wasn’t tired of riding either. I gained experience and maturity. Thirty-two is the right age, it’s not too old. It was the time to change, to open a new chapter in my career. Mentally, it wasn’t hard to move on from mountain biking, because I’m very excited about what I want to do.
What are your goals?
I signed for three years. The main goal is to learn as much as possible, to really be the best and try to win the Tour de France.
“I won’t do cyclo-cross”
What will your program be in 2025?
What is certain is that I will do the Tour de France. Finally, if I am selected (smile). Otherwise, for the rest, I don’t know yet. We will reveal my program on January 14. I won’t do cyclo-cross. There are a few races I would like to do. I won the Flèche wallonne in 2014, it’s one of my best memories. I would like to climb the Huy wall again.
What did you think of the Tour 2025 route, revealed a month ago?
Already, I was happy that there was no time trial stage. I want to take it step by step, and the time trial, the aerodynamic position, I still need to work on. It will be a little easier without it. It’s a good route for me, a mix between short and long climbs. I know what I need to work on.
“I wasn’t good enough, I have no excuse…”
What exactly do you need to work on?
The training is totally different. I changed coaches, it’s only been two or three weeks, I have to get used to it. Based on my power data, I know I can be a good road cyclist. It’s just a matter of time. I have to work with my teammates, practice running in a peloton, study the races. I know I can perform one day, but I don’t know if I can ten days in a row, in a stage race. For this, nutrition is very important. I have a top team for that. They won the Tour de France with Jonas (Vingegaard), they know how to do it.
Your experience at the World Road Championships in Zurich two months ago (withdrawal) was not conclusive…
I wasn’t good enough, I have no excuse. I was well positioned, but perhaps not efficient enough, because I fought to stay in front. I was tired after the Olympics. It’s a good lesson. I learned a lot more than just sitting in front of my TV. Now I see what I have to do.
“It’s true that I like the Dutch…”
You are in a Dutch team, your companion (the cyclist Dylan van Baarle) is Dutch, will you soon speak Dutch?
I’m starting my lessons next week, with my sister-in-law! So far I only know a few words, mostly about food, like “Frikadel”. It’s true that I like the Dutch. I spent five years with the Rabobank team, I have great memories there. It’s a family environment, but we know where we’re going. Seeing Dylan happy in this team, yes, it helped me in my decision.
Demi Vollering, Lotte Kopecky… what is your view on the generation that dominates road Cycling today?
Vollering, Kopecky… it’s the benchmark. They are inspiring, they are athletes who want it and who don’t give up. For me, it’s really motivating to see what they have done in recent years. It will be a source of inspiration and motivation to try to beat them.
