"Right now I'm learning the hard way" - Ferrand-Prévot admits Cylocross return could've gone better

Returning to cyclocross for the first time since 2019-20, big things were expected of Pauline Ferrand-Prévot. Due to a multitude of reasons it hasn't quite played out that way, "Right now I'm learning the hard way."

Coming off an incredibly successful mountain bike campaign in which the INEOS Grenadiers rider picked up three world titles (short track, cross country and marathon), Ferrand-Prévot also won the inaugural Gravel World Championships. That form has not continued into the cyclocross season however with the Frenchwoman admitting she's not surprised. "I know how difficult it is to perform in a discipline in which you have not raced for years. I knew I would have to adapt to new bikes, new shoes, new parts and a new environment. I knew I had to recover physically from my mountain bike season, but also from all the media requests I had.”

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Alongside the short recovery time, there's also been a persistent injury issue. After having surgery on a strangulated femoral artery at the end of 2018, Ferrand-Prévot revealed how she was concerned at one point that the issue may have returned. “I started to feel the pain again, like in the old, bad days – the pain in my vein. However, after a medical check-up, nothing is wrong."

Finishing off with a message of thanks, the 30-year-old vowed to get back to race-winning form. " I will work hard to get better and be where I want to be."