Ferrand-Prévot aims to build on first successful season with Team Visma | Lease a Bike Women
2025 will always be remembered as the successful comeback year of Pauline Ferrand-Prévot. Upon her return to road cycling, the 33-year-old Frenchwoman immediately made an impression with her victory in Paris-Roubaix, followed in the summer by her historic overall win in the Tour de France Femmes. In 2026, Ferrand-Prévot wants to continue her progress together with her teammates. We look ahead with the Tour winner.
“I can’t wait to go all in again with my teammates,” says Ferrand-Prévot. “We have a strong group of motivated riders, and compared to last season we’ve taken more steps forward. That’s great to see. For me, 2025 was a year full of learning, but I pick up new things quickly. The support from the staff and my teammates meant I was able to reach a high level very fast. What we achieved last season was incredible, but my focus is already on the coming year.”
In 2026, Ferrand-Prévot hopes to be in contention for victory more often. “Last season I was very good on several occasions, but I still want to work on my consistency. My goal is to fight for the very top in every race I start. That will be a challenge, but it’s one I’m happy to take on. I finished on the podium many times in 2025, but secretly I want to win more.”
"I have to be ready to start as one of the favourites in the biggest races from now on"
The highlight of the season for Ferrand-Prévot and Team Visma | Lease a Bike Women was the overall victory in the Tour de France Femmes. Ferrand-Prévot’s goal had been to win the Tour within three years, and she succeeded at her first attempt. In 2026, the Tour will once again be the main objective. “Last season I started the Tour as an outsider, but that will be different next season,” she says. “I have to be ready to start as one of the favourites in the biggest races from now on. I like pressure and I can handle it well, so I’m really looking forward to it.”
“The Tour was the most important race we could win. It was an amazing team performance. I will do everything I can to defend my title. The Tour route includes an individual time trial, and I see that as a great challenge too. Time trialling suited me well in the past, but it’s definitely a discipline I can still improve. That’s why I’ll be spending a lot of time on the time-trial bike in the build-up to the Tour. It’s a short effort, which in principle should suit me. I’m also especially looking forward to the stage to Mont Ventoux. I’ve also marked the final stage, close to my home, as a major goal.”
"The high expectations for the coming year give me extra motivation"
“The high expectations for the coming year give me extra motivation to improve. I perform better when there’s pressure, so I see very little negative in those expectations. I’m absolutely ready to give the best of myself again,” Ferrand-Prévot concludes.
