Pauline Ferrand-Prévot of Ineos Grenadiers won the elite men’s cross country race at the UCI World Cup in Nové Město na Moravě, finishing ahead of US rider Haley Batten and Alessandra Keller. Ferrand-Prevot rode to a dominant solo victory in her World Champion stripes, completing the 26.45km loop in 1:24:44.
The race saw a battle between Saturday’s short track winner Keller and young talent Puck Pieterse. However, a rear wheel slip and dismount for Pieterse on the final lap caused her to settle for fourth place. Ferrand-Prevot’s race was executed excellently, with only a brief dismount on the third lap that did not affect her significant lead.
After the race, Ferrand-Prevot expressed her satisfaction with her performance despite not feeling her best. She focused on maintaining her own pace and highlighted the course’s steep climb as playing to her strengths. The positive atmosphere of the event also contributed to her success.
This win marks Ferrand-Prevot’s third victory on this course, positioning her as a clear favorite ahead of the upcoming Olympic Games. Her dominance and strategic race tactics have solidified her status as a force to be reckoned with in the world of cross country cycling.
