Where next for Pauline Ferrand-Prévot?

This story is part of our series celebrating International Women’s Day on 8 March, and exploring how the theme of ‘Inspire Inclusion’ can fit into women’s cycling, racing, tech and more.

When Pauline Ferrand-Prévot announced her intention to return to road racing in 2025, the buzz around the news was huge. The French rider has been a dominant force off-road over the last few years, picking up world titles in several disciplines, and cementing her place as one of the best all-rounders on the planet.

However, the 31-year-old is at a crossroads. Ineos Grenadiers – her current team – currently don't have a women’s outfit and have yet to provide a public strategy when it comes to building a squad that could support Ferrand-Prévot’s needs.

• Read more: Pauline Ferrand-Prévot will test Ineos’ true commitment to women’s cycling

It’s understood that Ferrand-Prévot’s preference would be to stay but should the squad not provide the required support, there would be no shortage of suitors knocking on her door.

Movistar might have ruled themselves out earlier this week but we’ve picked out six teams that could provide Ferrand-Prévot with the programme and backing she might need in 2025.

FDJ - SUEZ

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FDJ-SUEZ have some key riders up for renewal

The French team are in the position of making substantial changes in the off-season. Cecilie Uttrup Ludwig, Grace Brown, and Marta Cavalli are out of contract at the end of 2024, leaving several potential spots open on Stephen Delcourt’s team.

Ferrand-Prévot has never raced on a French-based squad during her trade team days, and, given her stature as a cycling national treasure, it only makes sense that the best team from her homeland at least shows interest in her signature. Ferrand-Prévot would want to see evidence of a solid programme and support staff, and Delcourt’s back catalogue is certainly strong enough in that sense.

Much will depend on several moving parts, including a willingness to re-sign several riders who are out of contract, but this fit could certainly work.

Visma-Lease a Bike

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Ferrand-Prévot (right) and current Visma leader Marianne Vos (left) on the podium of the 2014 GP Plouay as teammates at Rabobank

The team with the blankest of canvases for next year is Visma-Lease a Bike, who have less than half a dozen riders tied down to contracts. Yes, that does include Marianne Vos and the highly rated Fem van Empel but, at 36 and 21 respectively, the team could do with a middle-ground athlete who can steer them between the generations.

At 32, Ferrand-Prévot ticks that box, and while co-leadership hasn’t always worked out in the past, the notion of her and Vos working together once again should strike fear into their potential rivals.

The team is well-run, competes across all terrains and clearly knows how to provide stable environments for riders who like to switch between disciplines.

UAE Team ADQ

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UAE have the financial clout to pull off a Ferrand-Prévot signing

According to Pro Cycling Stats, the team only have two riders currently contracted for next year, so, out of all the squads on this list, they have the biggest space for a rider of Ferrand-Prévot’s qualities. According to our information, Chiara Consonni is set to stay on the books for next season but that still leaves a huge void that the French rider could fill.

On top of that, money wouldn’t be an issue, especially after reports emerged in February that the team were willing to make Demi Vollering a 1 million Euro offer for next season.

This is a really solid team, and there’s depth throughout, but even if Silvia Persico signs a contract extension there’s enough space for Consonni to flourish. The fact is that not many teams on this list could compete with UAE Team ADQ’s financial clout.

Lidl-Trek

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Could Ferrand-Prévot fit among Lidl-Trek's stars?

There are several big-name riders at Lidl-Trek – the sort that Jamie Redknapp would class as ‘top, top players’ – and the squad have done a wonderful job of meshing experienced talent with a new generation of up-and-coming athletes. On their day, they are the most exciting team to watch in the Women’s WorldTour, and while they lack the volume of wins that SD Worx have, they certainly push them close and make racing a more engaging experience for it.

If you’re Ferrand-Prévot, why wouldn’t you want to join a team of this ilk, where talent is well-catered for and multi-discipline riders can segue throughout the year between their favourite sports?

The main question is whether Lidl-Trek feel Ferrand-Prévot is the right fit for the here and now. Lizzie Deignan and others are out of contract this year, so a change is possible, and Lidl’s investment could be key. This could be a perfect match or a complete non-starter.

Canyon-SRAM

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Pauline Ferrand-Prévot in 2018 during her previous stint at Canyon-SRAM

The French rider spent four successive years on the German team and was instrumental in their development and growth. She already knows the backroom staff and several of the team’s veterans from her first stint, so it’s not hard to envisage her returning for a second term. Canyon would almost certainly love another gold ticket-style rider who can maximise the exposure for their entire bike range, and it wouldn’t hurt to have another proven winner on the squad either.

A third of the team are 21 and under, and while it’s hard to envisage Katarzyna Niewiadoma moving on, the idea of her linking up with Ferrand-Prévot in the Classics and stage races is a mouthwatering prospect for those who enjoy aggressive, multi-pronged approaches.

The younger riders could benefit from the French athlete’s know-how, and from a cultural perspective, it has worked before, so can certainly work again.

EF-Education Cannondale

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EF-Cannondale are the new team on the block

The American team are stacked with talent and have put their faith – wisely – in the likes of Veronica Ewers and Kristen Faulkner but there will be space to add new faces for next season. Team boss Esra Tromp will know the transfer market well, as well as the key agents to talk to, and if there’s budget to add a marquee rider then Ferrand-Prévot should be towards the top of her list.

As with Canyon and others on this list, there’s plenty of talent still to be developed, but Ferrand-Prévot represents a proven winner who has succeeded on the biggest stages in the world. The team have started the year strongly, picking up four wins already, and Ferrand-Prévot represents both a short to medium-term bridge that could help with their goal of reaching WorldTour status.

Cannondale has supported riders’ off-road ambitions before, and the team have the right ethos to embrace a champion without it disrupting their harmony.

INEOS Grenadiers

• Nationality United Kingdom
• Founded 2010
• Team Principal David Brailsford
• UCI Code IGD
• Bike Sponsor Pinarello