Pauline Ferrand-Prévot reclaimed the French title in the cyclo-cross national championships in Quelneuc, Bretagne. Ferrand-Prévot continued her show of form this cyclo-cross season crossing the line to take the win, more than a minute ahead of second place Caroline Mani.

Before winning her third French cyclo-cross title of her career, Ferrand-Prévot said she took to the line in a very positive frame of mind. “I wasn’t nervous at the start. I had nothing to lose. I was not the defending champion.”

Ferrand-Prévot quickly forged a gap in the field on the first lap. Lap by lap the young Frenchwoman extended her lead to an unassailable 1 minute 20 second advantage. “The course was muddy and slippery. I had to stay focused all the way to the end. I did my own race and tried to be the best I could in the technical sections. I’m really happy to have this win.”

Since announcing her return to cyclo-cross Ferrand-Prévot has maintained her focus has been on a program that finished at yesterday’s national championship race. Now the 25 year-old announces she will continue with cyclo-cross, racing the next two world cups in Nommay and Hoogerheide before finishing her season at the world championships in Valkenburg on Saturday 3 February.

“Together with CANYON//SRAM we decided I go until world championships. I still feel good and fresh. I saw the Valkenburg circuit after the Zolder world cup and I really like it. I think it will be a great race. My focus is to do as best I can in the next two world cups so I can have a better starting position for worlds. I’ll use these two races as my final preparations.”

Ferrand-Prévot’s next race is Nommay World Cup in France on Sunday 21 January.

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