Pauline Ferrand-Prevot has left her mark on road cycling and mountain biking in particular. Her future apparently lies with Team Ineos Grenadiers. This is reported VeloNews.
Ferrand-Prevot's move almost certain
Two sources are said to have confirmed to the cycling portal that the 30-year-old Frenchwoman has signed with the British team for 2023. The report quotes one of these sources as saying that the deal is "100 per cent" done. According to the second source, Ferrand-Prevot was "the first female driver to sign with Ineos". So far, the British racing team has not yet built up a women's cycling team. BIKE and TOUR have asked the Ineos Grenadiers team for a statement on the rumours surrounding Ferrand-Prevot - a reply is still pending.
Ferrand-Prevot active on the road and off-road?
The report also states VeloNewsthat the Frenchwoman should continue to take part in mountain bike competitions. In terms of road cycling, however, it would be a comeback for Ferrand-Prevot, as she contested her last major race in 2021 at the French Championships and was still under contract with Canyon/SRAM Racing until 2020. Her greatest success on the road was the world title in the women's road race at the 2014 World Championships in Ponferrada.
When it comes to mountain bikes VeloNews following Scenario for next season: Following the signing of Ferrand-Prevot, Ineos could register a mountain bike team with the UCI. After all, the racing team also has a top male star under contract in Tom Pidcock, who has recently been secured a European Championship title. Pidcock is technically an independent rider in the mountain bike competitions. Ferrand-Prevot is currently still under contract with the Absolute Absalon - BMC Team.
Ferrand-Prevot had won the Moutainbike World Championships in Les Gets secured the titles in short track, cross country and also in the marathon. With this historic treble, she now has a total of nine victories at elite world championships to her name.
What material do Pidcock & Ferrand-Prevot use?
If Ferrand-Prevot were to switch, there would be another question mark over the equipment. Pinarello, the supplier of Ineos Grenadiers, does not manufacture mountain bikes. Ferrand-Prevot is currently on a BMC Fourstroke on the road, just like Pidcock, but there is no brand name on his machine.
