28/12/2022

Unknown injury responsible for Pauline Ferrand-Prevot's dull performance: "I get a pain in my hip area, and I can’t push on"

There have been some bumps in Pauline Ferrand-Prévot's return to cyclocross. Results remain elusive for her, and her minor hip injury may be to blame.

The former Cyclocross World champion returned to cyclocross after two years and a break, and her return is not what she would have expected. She started her season at Koppenbergcross in November, but mechanical issues forced her out of the top 10.

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Though at the European championship, she showed a glimpse of her former self, yet again, a small mechanical mishap prevented her from reaching the podium. The situation became worse during the World cup Gavere, where she finished 27th.

Her dull performance can be attributed to her injury. “I have had a slight injury, and we don’t know what it is. We have changed quite a few things on the bike. In fact, we’ve changed everything. I felt like after a few metres, I get a pain in my hip area, and I can’t push on.”

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While she revealed that her ultimate goal was the World Championships a few weeks ago, she is unsure of that now. “If I am going to give up the cyclo-cross world championships? I don't know and we have to discuss it with the team already. At the heart level, it's fine," concludes the Frenchwoman.