Professional bikes from Albstadt: BMC Fourstroke

Photo: Thomas Weschta

Light, exclusive and as fast as an arrow: professional bikes invite you to dream. We were at the Albstadt World Cup and show Pauline Ferrad-Prévot's BMC Fourstroke.

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With world championship titles on the road, in cyclocross and in cross country, French rider Pauline Ferrand Prevot is one of the most successful female cyclists in history. Her biggest goal for the 2022 season: the home World Championships in Les Gets at the end of August. In the battle for seconds at the top of the world, the 30-year-old relies on the performance of the BMC Fourstroke. The winning era of cross-country legend Julien Absalon (ex-pro at BMC) also shows that the Swiss race bike is one of the fastest bikes in the world. We took a closer look at the reigning European champion's bike at the second World Cup of the 2022 season in Albstadt.

In honour of her European Championship triumph last year, the Fourstroke frame is adorned with a European Championship design created by Pauline herself.

Photo: Thomas Weschta In honour of her European Championship triumph last year, the Fourstroke frame is adorned with a European Championship design created by Pauline herself.

Facts about Pauline Ferrand-Prévot's race bike

Manufacturer/Model: BMC Fourstroke
Frame size: M
Weight: /
Suspension fork: Rockshox SID Ultimate
Shock: Rockshox SID Luxe Ultimate
Suspension travel: 120/100mm
Translation: 32/34; 10-52
Special features: European Champion paint finish' "Life is a Joke" print, RAD vario support (3 intermediate stages, oval)

Exciting: Unlike the female riders, who are switching to down-country bikes due to the increasingly difficult World Cup courses, Ferrand-Prévot continues to rely on the frame with 100 millimetres at the rear. However, the Rockshox Sid Ultimate with 120 millimetres of travel and thick 35 mm stanchions is still at work under the head tube. This gives the bike a down-country vibe, at least at the front.

Photo: Thomas Weschta Exciting: Unlike the female riders, who are switching to down-country bikes due to the increasingly difficult World Cup courses, Ferrand-Prévot continues to rely on the frame with 100 millimetres at the rear. However, the Rockshox Sid Ultimate with 120 millimetres of travel and thick 35 mm stanchions is still at work under the head tube. This gives the bike a down-country vibe, at least at the front.

Photo: Thomas Weschta Integrated into the seat tube is an oval RAD (Race Application Dropper) Vario seatpost with 80 millimetres of travel.

Thanks to three intermediate stages at 20, 40 and 60 millimetres, the post always locks into place at the desired saddle height, even in the heat of the moment.

Photo: Thomas Weschta Thanks to three intermediate stages at 20, 40 and 60 millimetres, the post always locks into place at the desired saddle height, even in the heat of the moment.

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Photo: Thomas Weschta The French rider relies on the Twist-Loc from Rockshox to lock the fork and shock at the same time when climbing or sprinting.

Pauline has high hopes for her mechanic and knows what he contributes to her success. Fabien's nickname has even made it onto the frame design as a little something extra.

Photo: Thomas Weschta Pauline has high hopes for her mechanic and knows what he contributes to her success. Fabien's nickname has even made it onto the frame design as a little something extra.

Photo: Thomas Weschta In addition to the integrated power meter, Prevot's cranks are fitted with 32 mm or 34 mm chainrings depending on the route profile.