‘I used to be scared I used to be going to be bored’ – Pauline Ferrand-Prévot on being again on the street

Riding for Team Visma–Lease a Bike, Pauline Ferrand-Prévot has been kicking off her street comeback on the UAE Tour Women 2025. 

The 12-time elite World Champion and 2024 mountain biking Olympic Champion has now dedicated to the street full-time, after signing a three-year cope with the staff. 

She has already stated she has her hopes pinned on the Tour de France Femmes, however how’s she having fun with being again racing on the asphalt? 

“I used to be a bit afraid that I would not prefer it, however up to now it is good,” Ferrand-Prévot instructed Cyclingnews at the beginning line of stage 3. 

“I used to be scared I used to be going to be a bit bored as earlier than the race, I haven’t got the identical nerves as I do with MTB. I believe in MTB it’s important to be prepared from the beginning and go full gasoline, nevertheless it’s a bit totally different on the street.

“The first day we did a very good job as a staff and yesterday was additionally fairly good that I may make it to the second group.”

Yesterday Ferrand-Prévot completed within the first chasing group, alongside different common classification contender Juliette Labous (FDJ-Suez). She presently sits 1:30 behind Elisa Longo Borghini (Team UAE ADQ), in de facto second place of GC and is hoping to make up a while on in the present day’s mountain stage. 

Stage 3 is 152km and finishes atop Jebel Hafeet, the place the gradient averages 8% and options an 11% peak with 3km to go. 

“I’m trying ahead to in the present day’s stage, it is nonetheless actually windy so something may occur earlier than the climb,” Ferrand-Prévot stated.

“I’ve actual belief in my teammates. Today now we have to remain as a bunch and work collectively in the very best methods attainable. 

“The ladies should carry me to the underside of the climb after which it is as much as me to complete the work. 

“I additionally do not understand how I’ll be climbing in comparison with the others so in the present day ought to be an excellent take a look at. I do not really feel drained, I really feel good.”

One of the secrets and techniques to Ferrand-Prévot’s success is staying calm amidst the stress.

“When I begin, I say to myself okay there is no such thing as a level in stressing as you lose power, so that you simply should deal with your self and what you are able to do the very best,” she stated. 

“I believe that is one thing which helps me quite a bit.”