New high-profile transfer in women's cycling: Ferrand-Prevot has one mega ambition as new team leader at Visma | LaB

Visma | Lease a Bike has officially strengthened its team with Pauline Ferrand-Prevot. The recent Olympic mountain biking champion's move to the Dutch team had been anticipated for a while but has now been announced through the team's channels. The French all-rounder has a clear goal and is not shy about it. Ferrand-Prevot aims for major success in the Tour de France.

Ferrand-Prevot won the gold medal near Paris a week and a half ago, well ahead of the rest of the podium. Thus, her mountain biking dream has been fulfilled, and now the focus shifts back to road cycling. She has a track record there too. In 2014, she became the world champion, won La Flèche Wallonne, and has frequently finished in the top ten of the Tour of Flanders. Now, the French woman wants to concentrate on the general classifications. In recent years, her team, INEOS Grenadiers, gave her the opportunity to focus on mountain biking. She will now pursue new ambitions elsewhere.

Continue reading below the photo.

After classics and mountain biking, Ferrand-Prevot now focuses on the general classifications

The leading lady herself explains her transfer: "Last winter, I reflected on my future after the Olympics. I had been chasing an Olympic medal in mountain biking for 12 years. I have now achieved that goal. I think it's time for a new challenge in cycling. The choice to join Team Visma | Lease a Bike Women was an easy decision. The team's way of working and professional approach really appeal to me. I can't wait to get back into the peloton. With the support of the team, I'm sure I can do great things again, so I'm very motivated. I want to win the Tour de France Femmes."

The transition of Ferrand-Prevot to road cycling is not made lightly: "This needs time"

Team director Rutger Thijssen is extremely pleased with the arrival of such a big name in women's cycling. "Pauline is an exceptionally talented athlete who decided a few years ago to dedicate herself entirely to mountain biking. With her Olympic gold medal, she has now completed her mountain biking career. I admire her bold decision to return to road cycling with a clear goal: to win the Tour de France Femmes."

However, Thijssen realizes that it will not be an immediate success for his new protégé. "We will support her to achieve her goal. However, the transition to road cycling will take some time. Mountain biking is an explosive sport lasting an hour and a half. A road race requires endurance over a longer period. We will give her time to become a cyclist again. She will be our lead rider in the grand tours, but she can also compete in the Walloon classics."