Team manager Rutger Tijssen makes the mission clear: “We will go for the best possible result.” And with a star-studded line-up that includes reigning Olympic mountain bike champion Pauline Ferrand-Prévot and cycling legend Marianne Vos, it’s not just talk.
After dominating in mountain biking, Ferrand-Prévot has returned to the road in style this season, claiming a monumental win at Paris-Roubaix. Now, she’s preparing for her debut at the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift— and she’s done it her way.
Following a forced withdrawal from La Vuelta due to injury, Ferrand-Prévot took two months away from racing to focus exclusively on training, including a high-altitude camp in Tignes.
“I had a very good training period there and was able to take the final steps towards the Tour,” Ferrand-Prévot shared. “It was nice to be able to do that together with my teammates. We supported each other and brought out the best in each other.”
For the 33-year-old Frenchwoman, it’s not just about this race — it’s about the bigger picture. “Every stage is an opportunity to learn and grow in the bigger plan we have in mind as a team.”
Ferrand-Prévot will be supported in the mountains by 20-year-old French talent Marion Bunel, who is riding her second grand tour of the year. “It’s very special to ride this race in my home country,” Bunel said. “We have trained together a lot in recent weeks, so we feel each other better and better. That joint preparation has brought us even closer together as a team.”
Meanwhile, Marianne Vos is back in action after skipping the latter part of the Giro d’Italia Women as a precaution. The 38-year-old Dutch superstar will be targeting stage wins, particularly in the opening hilly stages. “The first two hill stages should suit her well,” Tijssen noted. “We would have preferred them to be a bit longer, but that doesn’t mean we are not going for it.”
This year’s Tour de France Femmes features nine stages, culminating in a brutal back-to-back mountain finale. Stage 8 ends atop the legendary Col de la Madeleine, and Stage 9 tackles the Col de Joux Plane, where the general classification will likely be decided.
“The classification is expected to be decided there,” Tijssen predicted, pointing to the closing fireworks as key to Ferrand-Prévot’s GC hopes.
Rounding out the roster alongside Ferrand-Prévot, Vos, and Bunel are Lieke Nooijen, Eva van Agt, Imogen Wolff, and Femke de Vries — a blend of experience, power, and rising talent.
With stage wins and a high overall placement both in their sights, Team Visma | Lease a Bike enters the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift not just to compete, but to leave a mark.
As Tijssen puts it: “The Tour is the biggest race of the year. I expect nine very nice days of racing.”
And with Ferrand-Prévot’s hunger, Vos’ class, and a unified team spirit — nine very nice days might just be the beginning.
