Paris-Roubaix Femmes | Marianne Vos joins Pauline Ferrand-Prévot in Visma’s powerhouse line-up

Team Visma | Lease a Bike Women face one of the calendar’s most emblematic dates this Sunday: Paris-Roubaix Femmes. The Dutch squad arrives with ambition after Pauline Ferrand-Prévot’s second place at the Tour des Flandres and will field a powerful dual leadership alongside Marianne Vos, who returns to racing in the “Hell of the North” aiming to fight for victory.

Vos’s return is inevitably shaped by the personal circumstances of recent weeks. The 38-year-old Dutch rider stepped away from competition after the loss of her father, a pivotal figure in her career. “It has been a very difficult period,” she explains, valuing the time she was able to spend with her loved ones. “It was good and important for me to spend these last weeks with my family. This week I’ve tried to ease back into normal life and, of course, the bike is a big part of that,” she adds, making clear that her comeback goes beyond sport.

Despite that context, Vos does not hide her motivation to return to one of the most special races on the calendar. She has long targeted Paris-Roubaix as a major goal and approaches the event with renewed enthusiasm. “Paris-Roubaix is a very special race and has always been a big objective for me. I’m really looking forward to being back on the start line with the team on Sunday,” she says, eager to reconnect with competition and with a race she considers unique.

Vos also details what makes the French classic unique, underlining both its brutality and its appeal. From the first recons to the finish in the velodrome, every step forms part of a singular cycling experience. “From the moment you get here and do the recon, you feel it’s something special. The cobbled sectors can be torture, but the finish in the Roubaix Velodrome is beautiful. This race is so unique in cycling… I love it,” she explains, capturing the blend of suffering and emotion that defines this Monument-like classic.

Last year’s edition also looms large within the team, especially Ferrand-Prévot’s solo victory, a standout moment for the Dutch structure. Vos witnessed that finale firsthand and cherishes the memory. “It was fantastic to experience. When I was there at the end with Pauline and realised she was going to win, it was an incredible feeling,” she says, reflecting the connection and collective spirit within the team.

For this edition, Team Visma | Lease a Bike Women lines up with two clear leaders, though the management insists that it guarantees nothing. Sports director Jan Boven stresses the importance of collective work and tactical intelligence in such a demanding race. In that sense, he notes that “with Marianne and Pauline we have two very strong cards, but that guarantees nothing,” and highlights that it will be crucial to “race smart and support each other as best as possible” to maximise the team’s chances.

Ferrand-Prévot’s presence adds even more firepower, as she initially had not planned to race but has decided to return to the scene of her triumph. According to Boven, her inclusion completely reshapes the team’s tactical approach. “Pauline was very eager to race Roubaix. Her inclusion changes the team dynamic and gives us more options during the race. With such a strong and balanced team, we aim for the best possible result,” the directeur sportif explains, confident in the squad’s potential.

For her part, Vos keeps a clear, ambitious message focused on the collective goal. She makes no secret that the team will again chase victory in one of the most prestigious races on the calendar. “I’m going to give it everything and, as a team, we’ll try to fight for the win once more,” she says, underlining that Team Visma | Lease a Bike Women come to Paris-Roubaix intent on shaping the race.