Pauline Ferrand-Prévot changes plans and WILL participate in the World Championships road race in Kigali

Pauline Ferrand-Prévot has not raced since her victory at the Tour de France Femmes at the end of August, but her season is far from finished. The star of French cycling will appear on the roads again this Saturday at the rebranded GP de Plouay. But the goal of Visma | Lease a Bike rider lies a month further down the road - the World and European Championships. Yes, although she previously declined the possibility of travelling to Kigali, Ferrand-Prévot has changed her mind and will attempt to add her second world title on road - 11 years since her first one.

"Hello everyone," the Frenchwoman begins her Instagram post.

"I admit it took me a while to write this post. Indeed, over the past month since my Tour de France victory, I've been trying to find a good balance between taking advantage of all the opportunities available to me and maintaining my healthy lifestyle as a professional athlete, which is essential to me."

"I made the decision at the start of the season not to participate in the World Championships in Rwanda, for the simple reason that, even though last year marked the beginning of my "process" of getting back on the road, I came out of the Olympic period physically tired and mentally worn out. I clearly didn't want to relive that moment or ask for additional efforts from an already tired body and a mental state at 80%."

"That being said, I realize that the years go by but are not the same. The context is also really different (few races this year, and much less pressure for the Tour de France than for the Olympics). So I feel ready to continue giving my best, in an intelligent and thoughtful way."

"That's why, in consultation with my team and the French team, we've decided that I will participate in the World Championships on the African continent. I'm honored to race with my French teammates, who are among the world's elite, to give our best in the quest for the iridescent jersey."