Amandine Fouquenet is set to sign a contract with Pauwels Sauzen-Altez Industriebouw, the Flemish cyclocross team managed by Jurgen Mettepenningen. The French champion was highly sought after because her current team Arkéa-B&B Hotels is folding, and this season she has taken a step up to the top of the women's peloton. Fouquenet will sign a contract through the end of 2027 and may ride road races for AG Insurance-Soudal.
Jurgen Mettepenningen confirmed this news Sunday to Sporza during the Dendermonde World Cup, the race he organizes himself. Fouquenet will be seen from January 1 wearing the colors of Pauwels Sauzen-Altez Industriebouw.
"We believe in her," said Mettepenningen. "She is very motivated and also wants to move down to Flanders to live here six months a year. She is a rider with great depth, although we will need to work on her technique with Mario De Clercq and Thomas Joseph, but with Fouquenet we can create a great story."
The development of the 24-year-old French champion is progressing rapidly. "Everyone who follows cyclocross is following her progress," he continued. "If she confirms, we have someone on the roster who can get many podiums in elite races, alongside Leonie Bentveld. It was also necessary for us to add another rider. We’re very happy to be able to compete week after week at the top with two leaders."
"In the last two weeks, she has shown she is a great talent. You know all teams are interested in her, but on Friday in Gavere she made her decision. She feels good about the talks with us, and this morning the agreement was signed."
Amandine FouquenetNew agreement with AG Insurance-Soudal?
Fouquenet has indicated she also wants to continue racing on the road, but Pauwels Sauzen-Altez Industriebouw has no road team or fixed partnership with a road squad. "We have an agreement with AG Insurance-Soudal of Jurgen Fore for Leonie Bentveld, and we will see if that is also possible for Fouquenet," Mettepenningen states.
"If that’s not the case, we will see if we can run a program in France so she can do her thing in the summer as well. But the plan is that she will be with us twelve months a year, focusing on cyclocross, and we’ll support her on the road as far as we can. If that’s not possible, we want to try again to make an agreement with AG Insurance," he explains.
