PFP dominates in Nove Mesto

Pauline Ferrand-Prevot made a winning return to World Cup XCO racing with a masterclass performance and victory in Nove Mesto.

The world champion imposed herself on the race from the very first lap, opening out a gap and then extending it across the six laps in Czechia.

With an eventual winning margin of one minute and two seconds, the Grenadier controlled the race on a hilly course which perfectly suited her riding style.

A third career XCO victory at Nove Mesto is another big step on her journey to the Paris Olympics in July.

Haley Batten (Specialized Factory Racing) and Alessandra Keller (Thomus Maxon) rounded out the podium places. 

"It was a great race. I wanted to go at my own speed, and I knew I wanted to do the first downhill at the front. So I pushed at the start, and after that I tried to maintain this speed. I was feeling good but I was just doing my own race and trying to push as much as possible.

"It’s a kind of lap that suits me. It’s quite a steep climb where you can really push and after that I recover. I think it’s my strength. It’s a nice atmosphere here."