Pauline Ferrand-Prévot took second in the UCI MTB World Cup in Mont-Sainte-Anne, Canada. The 25 year old CANYON//SRAM Racing rider finished 44 seconds behind winner, and overall World Cup series winner Yana Belomoina.

It was the first time this year Ferrand-Prévot had made the podium in the UCI MTB World Cups, and the result did not come easy. The young Frenchwoman raced aggressively from the start and was the first rider to attack on the five lap circuit.

“I had a good start on the left, I was in the wheel of Jenny Rissveds (Rio Olympic champion), but she crashed with some others. I was focused enough to escape from this crash and already I found myself in third position after a few metres into the race. I felt that the rhythm was not hard enough, so I decided to take the initiative and go. I knew that I had to be in the first position for the first climb because there was a big risk of being blocked and having to run,” said Ferrand-Prévot.

Ferrand-Prévot’s attack caused several splits in the group, afterwards Catharine Pendrel tried to go solo, before Belomoina, Pendrel and Ferrand-Prévot formed three riders in the lead. The trio’s positions were constantly changing back and forth before Belomoina formed a winning lead on the final lap.

After the race Ferrand-Prévot said “After that first lap I felt pretty good in the physical and technical sections. Before the race I was aiming for top five. I knew it was possible. When I saw I could make the podium I was focused on riding full gas until the end. In the last lap I knew that it would be difficult to beat Belomonia. I was happy with my place and so I managed to not take too many risks in the downhill. I wanted to secure my second place.”

“After two years of hard work and no international result I’m really happy to finally take a podium. For me it’s good of course, but also for my team and my family who always support me. This second place is also a reward for them,” added Ferrand-Prévot.

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