Pauline Ferrand-Prévot had an extremely successful comeback year on the road in 2025. In her first season with Visma | Lease a Bike, she won, among others, Paris-Roubaix and the Tour de France Femmes. Yet, she aims for more in 2026.
“I can’t wait to go all out again with my teammates,” says Ferrand-Prévot on the Visma | Lease a Bike website. “We have a strong group of motivated riders and we have taken further steps compared to last season. It’s great to see. 2025 was a year full of learning for me, but I pick up new things quickly. The support from the staff and my teammates helped me return to a high level fast. What we achieved last season was incredible, but my focus is already on the upcoming year.”
Winning more
Ferrand-Prévot also secured podium finishes last year in races such as the Tour of Flanders (second) and Strade Bianche (third), but podiums are not enough for the French rider. “Last season I was very good several times, but I want to work on my consistency. My goal is to compete for the very top in every race I start. That will be a challenge, but I’m eager to take it on. I achieved many podiums in 2025, but secretly I want to win more.”
Her preference is to win the Tour again. That remains the main target. “Last season I started the Tour as an outsider, but next season that will be different. I need to be ready to start as one of the favorites in the biggest races from now on. I thrive under pressure and handle it well, so I’m looking forward to it.”
Tour time trial and Mont Ventoux
The 33-year-old rider will do “everything possible” to defend her Tour title. “The Tour route includes an individual time trial, which I also see as a great challenge. Time trialling suited me well in the past, but it’s definitely a discipline I can still improve. That’s why I will spend a lot of time on the time trial bike leading up to the Tour. It’s a short effort, which should suit me in principle. Besides that, I am most looking forward to the stage to Mont Ventoux. I have also marked the final stage, close to my home, as a highlight.”
“The high expectations for the coming year give me extra motivation to improve. I perform better under pressure, so I see little downside in those expectations. I am absolutely ready to give my best again."
Pauline Ferrand-Prévot| Race | Date |
|---|---|
 Strade Bianche Donne | 7 Mar |
 Ronde van Vlaanderen | 5 Apr |
| La Flèche Wallonne Féminine | 22 Apr |
| Liège-Bastogne-Liège Femmes | 26 Apr |
 Vuelta España Femenina by Carrefour.es | 3 May - 10 May |
| Tour de France Femmes | 1 Aug - 9 Aug |
