Driving for Crew Visma–Hire a Motorbike, Pauline Ferrand-Prévot has been kicking off her highway comeback on the UAE Excursion Girls 2025.
The 12-time elite International Champion and 2024 mountain cycling Olympic Champion has now dedicated to the street full-time, after signing a three-year maintain the crew.
She has already mentioned she has her hopes pinned at the Excursion de France Femmes, however how’s she taking part in being again racing at the asphalt?
“I was scared I was going to be a bit bored as before the race, I don’t have the same nerves as I do with MTB. I think in MTB you have to be ready from the start and go full gas, but it’s a bit different on the road.
“The primary day we did a in reality excellent process as a crew and the previous day was once additionally moderately excellent that I may just make it to the second one workforce.”
Yesterday Ferrand-Prévot finished in the first chasing group, alongside other general classification contender Juliette Labous (FDJ-Suez). She currently sits 1:30 behind Elisa Longo Borghini (Team UAE ADQ), in de facto second place of GC and is hoping to make up some time on today’s mountain stage.
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Stage 3 is 152km and finishes atop Jebel Hafeet, where the gradient averages 8% and features an 11% peak with 3km to go.
“I am having a look ahead to these days’s level, it is nonetheless in reality windy so anything else may just occur earlier than the climb,” Ferrand-Prévot mentioned.
“I’ve actual consider in my teammates. These days we need to keep as a bunch and paintings in combination in the most efficient techniques conceivable.
“The girls have to bring me to the bottom of the climb and then it’s up to me to finish the work.
“I additionally do not know the way I’m going to be mountaineering in comparison to the others so these days must be a excellent take a look at. I do not really feel drained, I think excellent.”
One of the secrets to Ferrand-Prévot’s success is staying calm amidst the pressure.
“After I get started, I say to myself good enough there is not any level in stressing as you lose power, so that you simply have to concentrate on your self and what you’ll be able to do the most efficient,” she mentioned.
“I believe that is one thing which is helping me so much.”
