Visma-Lease a Bike has recently encountered a significant challenge as they approach Stage 5 of La Vuelta Femenina. The team announced, via their official social media channels, that their star rider, Pauline Ferrand-Prevot, has been forced to withdraw from the remainder of the Grand Tour due to health concerns. The 33-year-old French cyclist, known for her remarkable achievements including a victory at the Paris-Roubaix Femmes, is reportedly “not feeling fit enough to continue the race,” prompting the decision to step back from competition.
Ferrand-Prevot’s exit comes as a notable disappointment for the Visma-Lease a Bike team, particularly given her position in the general classification. As the race entered Stage 4, she found herself placed 34th overall, trailing the race leader, Femke Gerritse of SD Worx-Protime, by a margin of 38 seconds. Following a challenging day of racing in Stage 4, where she clearly battled to maintain her standing, Ferrand-Prevot’s withdrawal marks a pivotal moment not just for her personally but for the team dynamics as they continue the competition without one of their key athletes.
In stark contrast to Ferrand-Prevot’s woes, the Stage 4 race showcased a remarkable performance by former world and Olympic champion Annemiek van Vleuten, who made a decisive solo move in the final kilometers. This effort secured her a second consecutive stage victory for SD Worx-Protime, reaffirming the team’s dominance in this year’s event. Marianne Vos, representing Visma-Lease a Bike, finished strong in second place after she sprinted ahead of the chasing group behind Van Vleuten. Completing the podium was Demi Vollering, who also exhibited her racing prowess.
Despite the setback of losing Ferrand-Prevot, Marianne Vos is having a commendable outing; she leads the points classification for her team with a total of 170 points—an impressive 38 points ahead of Gerritse’s tally, which stands at 132. Vos is currently ranked third overall in the standings. However, the upcoming stages pose a significant challenge, particularly with the summit finish that awaits at Lagunas de Neila, which can potentially alter standings and lead to shifting placements among the top contenders.
The pressure on Vos is compounded by the performance expectations placed on her fellow team members, Femke De Vries and Imogen Wolff. Both riders have found themselves over three minutes behind the race lead, raising questions about their ability to support Vos effectively as the race progresses towards its conclusion. Reflecting on the competition, Vos expressed the difficulty of trying to keep pace during intense segments of racing. She remarked, “I really had to fight hard to stay with it. When Anna went, I knew it would be difficult to catch her again,” highlighting the competitiveness and mental fortitude required during such races.
Visma-Lease a Bike’s situation is further complicated by recent controversies surrounding their previous performance in the team time trial held in Barcelona. The team reported a 10th-place finish, attributing it to what they described as “errors in the UCI’s team time trial start procedure.” Following the event, an official complaint was lodged, criticizing not only the late arrival of other teams but also pointing out that UCI officials conducted slow bike checks prior to the race. This incident adds to the mounting pressures faced by the Visma-Lease a Bike team as they navigate the challenges of La Vuelta Femenina.
As the race continues, the dynamics within the team remain fluid, and the absence of Ferrand-Prevot undoubtedly reshapes their strategy moving forward. Team cohesion, adaptability, and determination will be paramount for Visma-Lease a Bike as they strive to perform amidst adversity and capitalize on the strengths of their remaining riders in the quest for stage and overall victories in La Vuelta Femenina.
