CANYON//SRAM Racing’s Pauline Ferrand-Prévot will return to the MTB World Cup racing scene on 17 to 19 May in Albstadt, Germany. The 27-year-old current French MTB champion will start in the first XC Short Track and XCO World Cups of the season, just over three months since having left leg surgery.

“To be honest, I didn’t really think I would be back racing so soon. Of course it was my ideal plan, but after two months of no training after surgery, my muscles and shape were really missing. It took a long time to feel like an athlete again,” said Ferrand-Prévot.

“For the last few weeks, I’m feeling better and better. I’m still not on my top form, but I have no pain in my leg anymore, and I am just concentrating on the work I need to do to get back to where I want to be.”

“I know that Albstadt will be a hard race and a lot of suffering. But I’m looking forward to it! I’m super excited to be back racing. My last race was MTB world championships last year. After a long time without racing, you just really want to be back racing, no matter what. I know people will be expecting me to be in the same shape that I was in Albstadt in 2018 but it’s unrealistic as I haven’t had the same preparation. If I can take some UCI points, then that would be great,” added Ferrand-Prévot.

Before the World Cup in Albstadt, Ferrand-Prévot kickstarts her return to an international level of racing with today’s MTB French Cup in Jeumont. She will go into the race with no expectations on herself.

“I’m happy to take part in my first ‘serious’ race of the year. I have been feeling good mentally, but sadly there was a death in my close family this week and I have to admit that’s made things more challenging at the moment.”

“It’s the first time there’s been a French Cup in Jeumont so I’ll see how they’ve made the course and I just want to have a hard race without expectations on a result.”

How to follow the MTB World Cup in Albstadt

XC Short Track World Cup | Friday 17 May | 17:30CST

XCO World Cup | Sunday 19 May | 11:20CST

Watch the livestream of both races on Redbull here.

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