Ferrand-Prévot starts the spring classics full of ambition in Strade Bianche Donne
After the Belgian opening weekend, the women of Team Visma | Lease a Bike continue the spring classics in Italy, where the Strade Bianche Donne is on the program this Saturday. The Dutch cycling team hopes to compete for the prizes with Pauline Ferrand-Prévot. The Frenchwoman looks ahead to the gravel race together with Femke de Vries.
Just like last year, the women's peloton will be treated to twelve gravel sections in Italy. Combined with the traditional finish in Siena, the one-day race is always guaranteed to provide spectacle and great images. “The finish on the square in Siena makes the race extra special. I love Italy and the Strade Bianche course. The many gravel sections make it even more remarkable”, Ferrand-Prévot says.
Early February, the former world champion made her official comeback on the road in the UAE Tour. The race in the Middle East provided new insights for the rider. “The UAE Tour was a good start to get back in the peloton and pick up the rhythm again. There I was dropped on the Jebel Hafeet climb. That's why I've been working on my climbing ability in Tenerife for the past few weeks.”
"Strade Bianche is a great opportunity to see where I am now"
“With the altitude training I got ready for the spring classics. That's where I really want to perform. That's why we chose to train at altitude; to get stronger for what's to come. I feel I made good steps in Tenerife. Strade Bianche is a great opportunity to see where I am now”, Ferrand-Prévot explains.
In the eleventh edition of the Tuscan classic, there is also an important role for De Vries. The 30-year-old rider already showed her good climber's legs last month in Valencia. “My season start in Spain was good, that gives confidence. The races last weekend in Belgium were totally different with fewer climbs and shorter accelerations. I prefer it to be continuously heavy. That's why I think the Italian races coming up next suit me better than the Belgian work.”
"I have a good connection with Pauline, she motivates me enormously"
It will be the first Strade Bianche Donne for De Vries. “This race was high on my wish list. As a team, we have to make sure that Pauline ends up in the final as well as possible on Saturday. I think we need to race attractively. Last weekend in the Omloop you see what can happen from the breakaway”, De Vries reflects.
“I have a good connection with Pauline”, the Dutch rider says. “We haven't ridden an official race together yet, but we have trained and explored the Strade course. Pauline motivates me enormously and I am learning a lot from her. If Pauline can compete for the win on Saturday, the race will also be a success for me.”
In addition to Ferrand-Prévot and De Vries, the Team Visma | Lease a Bike selection consists of the following four names: Fem van Empel, Eva van Agt, Sophie von Berswordt and Margaux Vigié.
