Pauline Ferrand-Prévot: Chasing Greatness One Goal at a Time

When you think of champions, you might imagine constant striving and endless pressure to win. But for French cycling star Pauline Ferrand-Prévot, her secret to success lies in focusing on just a few big goals each year. After recently announcing her ambition to chase a second Tour de France Femmes victory in 2026, her refreshing approach to competition has sparked conversation.

One Target, One Dream

In an interview with Ouest-France, Ferrand-Prévot shared that instead of spreading herself thin across many races, she chooses to focus on “just one or two” competitions each season. It might seem like a risk to narrow her sights so much, but for her, it’s about quality, not quantity. The Tour de France remains her main objective, but she won’t underestimate the importance of the spring classics. After placing second in the Tour of Flanders and winning Paris-Roubaix, she’s made it clear that these events still matter deeply to her.

A Long Road Ahead

Now 33 years old, Ferrand-Prévot is not thinking about retirement just yet. With her current contract with Visma-Lease a Bike ending in 2027, her focus remains on the future. She believes she can improve her performance in the classics while also being in peak condition for the Tour. “I can work really well this winter,” she says confidently, “to be ready for both the classics and the Tour.”

Ferrand-Prévot’s insights emphasize something crucial: it’s not just about winning. She admits that competing every weekend can be mentally draining. Instead, she thrives on training hard for specific races. “What I really like is to prepare for a specific goal,” she says. This focused mindset keeps her motivated and excited.

Goals Beyond the Tour

Pauline dreamily mentions other races she wants to conquer, like Strade Bianche and Liège-Bastogne-Liège, but she admits that the Giro d’Italia and Vuelta a España don’t inspire her as much. The placement of these Grand Tours makes it difficult to perform well in the Tour afterward. However, she is keen to reclaim her title at the World Championships in 2027, especially since it will be held in France—an opportunity she finds very special.

Having her team support her approach to racing has also made a great impact. Ferrand-Prévot aligns well with Visma’s philosophy, where they prioritize training over racing sheer numbers of races. She appreciates this freedom and uses it to cultivate her skills for her specific goals.

A Journey to the Top

Reflecting on her past achievements, winning the Tour de France was a monumental moment for Ferrand-Prévot, bringing both joy and an unexpected sense of emptiness. “I cried for two days,” she admits. But now, with her sights set on doing it again, she understands that achieving it once was incredible, yet she believes that doing it twice could be even more fulfilling.

As Pauline Ferrand-Prévot takes on her cycling journey, her story teaches us that sometimes, less is more. Focusing your energy on a few big dreams—much like training hard for that dream bike ride—can lead to amazing achievements. So as you lace up your cycling shoes for your next ride, remember: it’s not always about racing; it’s about setting your sights on what truly matters.

Let’s pedal our way toward our own small goals, just as Pauline does—one strong bike ride at a time!

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