Pauline Ferrand-Prévot will launch her 2018 MTB season on Saturday 10 March when she starts at the first UCI MTB World Cup in Stellenbosch, South Africa.

After finishing her 2017 MTB season on a high note with a bronze medal at the world championships, followed by a successful winter of cyclo-cross, Ferrand-Prévot said she is looking forward to the race just outside of Cape Town.

“I’m really enjoying being here!” said the French MTB champion who has been training for one week in Stellenbosch since racing the first UCI Women’s WorldTour race at Strade Bianche last weekend.

“On Wednesday I went on the circuit and it’s a cool lap! It’s the first time we have a world cup here (the first time in more than two decades) so I didn’t know how hard and technical the lap would be. I can say that I really like it. It’s fast, hard, demands your concentration and won’t forgive any mistakes you might make.”

The 5km circuit has around 180 metres of elevation across two climbs, and both are followed with technical descents. The first feedback from the lap is that it will be fast!

“I’m feeling good and I have recovered well after Strade Bianche” added Ferrand-Prévot. “My goal is to continue my progression from winter and the first road race, and keep building form into the upcoming races.”

The elite women’s race starts at 12:20 SAST | 11:20 CET on Saturday 10 March and can be viewed live here.

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