Pauline Ferrand-Prévot finished twelfth in today’s stage two of La Course by Le Tour. The 22km pursuit-style race saw Annemiek van Vleuten (OGE) start 43 seconds ahead of the field in a new format where the fastest rider went first, followed by the same time gaps as the finish of La Course by Le Tour on col d’Izoard on Thursday. Van Vleuten extended her lead to win solo, almost two minutes ahead of Lizzie Deignan (DLT) and Elisa Longo Borghini (WHT).

Ferrand-Prévot started with a group of four riders, 4 minutes 36 behind van Vleuten. The group worked together to pick up three riders on the course but could not get closer to the winner.

“There were a lot of good things to take from the race today. Also, some things we can improve on, but overall it was a nice race. It was a good day for women’s cycling,” said Ferrand-Prévot.

“From the sport side it was a pity that the gap was so big between the riders. Maybe reversing the order would have made it more interesting because like today, we already knew before the start who would win. But it’s a new format and it’s exciting,” added Ferrand-Prévot.

Ferrand-Prévot will now return to racing MTB at European championships and the final UCI MTB World Cup in St Anne, Canada in early August. “I go now to MTB European championships in Italy on Tuesday to compete in the team relay and an elite women’s race. Every week I feel better. I have to wait to see the lap, but I think it would be another good opportunity to gauge my progress and I’ll aim for a podium.”

While Ferrand-Prévot races MTB the coming weekend, the team will line up with a 6-rider team at Prudential Ride London Classique on Saturday 29 July in central London.

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