Siena, Italy – Pauline Ferrand-Prévot, the reigning Tour de France champion, is setting her sights on a triumphant return to competition this Saturday at the Strade Bianche. The 34-year-old French cyclist is aiming for victory on the challenging Tuscan roads, a race she views as a crucial stepping stone toward her broader season goals. This marks a slightly later start to the season compared to many of her rivals, a deliberate strategy to ensure peak form for upcoming events.
The Strade Bianche, known for its iconic white gravel roads – or ‘strade bianche’ – presents a unique test for cyclists. Ferrand-Prévot acknowledges the race’s significance, stating it’s “a superb course, a monument for me!” while conceding it doesn’t quite reach the stature of a race like the Tour of Flanders. Nevertheless, she sees it as a vital early-season benchmark.
Lessons Learned from 2025
Ferrand-Prévot finished on the podium at the 2025 Strade Bianche Donne, a result she intends to improve upon this year. Reflecting on last year’s race, she identified a key tactical error. “I spent too much energy too early in taking an escape,” she explained. “You can’t arrive fatigued with 40 kilometers still to go.” She’s applied those lessons in her preparation, approaching this year’s race with a refined strategy and increased confidence.
A significant shift in her approach this year is her focus as a road cyclist, rather than transitioning from a mountain biking background as she did in 2025. “Last year I arrived at the Strade as a mountain bike racer, this time as a road cyclist. So, I have more confidence in my abilities,” she stated.
Preparation and Team Dynamics
Ferrand-Prévot reports a productive winter training camp with her Visma-Lease a Bike team. She feels well-prepared and notes a noticeable improvement within the team’s overall strength. “I feel very good, I’m coming off a three-week training camp with the group. I feel the team has really progressed this year, some of the girls are ready to be much more than teammates,” she said. While acknowledging the difficulty of gauging competitor form during training, she expressed optimism about her own condition, stating she feels better than she did at the start of last season.
Maintaining consistent peak performance throughout the season is a key objective for Ferrand-Prévot. Last year, her form peaked at the Tour de France, but she struggled to maintain that level across other races. This year, she’s planning a more balanced approach, aiming for three performance peaks: one for the Strade Bianche, another for the Ardennes Classics, and a final one for the Tour de France. “With age, you learn to know yourself and what works or doesn’t operate for your body. I’ve also found a better balance in my life,” she added.
Navigating a New Status
Winning the Tour de France has undeniably elevated Ferrand-Prévot’s profile within the peloton. She admits to being unprepared for the increased scrutiny at the World Championships, where expectations weighed heavily on her. “Everyone was waiting to witness what I was going to do, and I wasn’t prepared for that. I didn’t make the race hard enough,” she confessed. She’s spent the off-season working on the mental aspect of handling this new level of attention.
When asked about her biggest rivals, Ferrand-Prévot didn’t single out Demi Vollering, the 2025 Strade Bianche Donne winner, as the sole threat. “I don’t see her as any bigger than the others. She is very strong, but in my mind, Kasia Niewiadoma or Elisa Longo Borghini are also dangerous. You have to watch everyone!”
A Return to Racing and a Digital Detox
After a six-month hiatus from competition, Ferrand-Prévot is eager to return to racing. She shared a relatable sentiment, noting she recently discussed the long preparation period with Tadej Pogačar, who also hadn’t raced since the World Championships. “We both really look forward to returning to competition! Even though I like training, it’s not the same feeling. It feels like going back to school!”
Interestingly, Ferrand-Prévot has stepped away from social media. “I don’t feel the need for it. You see so many different things, some of which you’d rather not see. I prefer not to spend too much time on my phone. I feel more mentally free since I left social media this winter.”
What to Expect at Strade Bianche
The 2026 Strade Bianche Donne will cover 136 kilometers (approximately 84.5 miles) across Tuscany, Italy, featuring over 50 kilometers of gravel roads spread across thirteen sectors. The race culminates in a steep climb up Via Santa Caterina to the Piazza del Campo in Siena, with a maximum gradient of 16%. [2]
Ferrand-Prévot and the Visma-Lease a Bike team are prepared for the challenge. Her focus is on executing a smart race, avoiding early energy expenditure, and capitalizing on her improved road cycling form. A victory at the Strade Bianche would be an ideal start to a season where consistency and strategic peaking are paramount.
Following the Strade Bianche, Ferrand-Prévot will turn her attention to the Ardennes Classics and, defending her title at the Tour de France. Fans can follow her progress and the Visma-Lease a Bike team’s updates through their official channels.
