Pauline Ferrand-Prévot wins her first race with INEOS and she does it with the new Pinarello MTB

Much of the attention of the international XCO was focused this weekend on the Coupe de France in Gueret, an event that started on Friday with the Short Track races and culminated on Sunday with the XCO race. There, World Champion Pauline Ferrand-Prévot took her first victory with her new team and in the men's category, New Zealander Sam Gaze did the same after also winning on Friday.

Pauline Ferrand-Prévot and Sam Gaze win the XCO French Cup of Gueret

After skipping the Short Track on Friday, the French Pauline Ferrand-Prévot (INEOS Grenadiers) has taken all the attention in the women's XCO race. She started as favorite and has made her condition worth arriving first at the finish line with more than 2 minutes ahead of her compatriot Lena Gerault (BERRIA VITTORIA FACTORY TEAM). In third place came Friday's winner of the XCC race, British rider Annie Last (LAPIERRE MAVIC UNITY).

For Pauline this race was very significant as it was the first of her mountain bike pre-season and comes just two weeks before the start of the World Cup in Nove Mesto. It is also the first race she has won with her new team and she has done it with the prototype that Pinarello is developing for her and Tom Pidcock. Here you can read what we know so far about this new mountain bike.

In the men's race, New Zealander Samuel Gaze gave a powerful warning to his rivals ahead of the World Cup opener in Nove Mesto. Gaze won the Gueret Short Track and also took the XCO victory, what is known as a "perfect weekend" in mountain biking.

After the withdrawal of British rider Tom Pidcock, who was third in the Short Track, Gaze was left as the top favorite and he finished first, just 3 seconds ahead of Joshua Dubau (Rockrider Ford Racing Team) and 6 seconds ahead of Antoine Philippe.

Here you can consult the complete standings and the rest of the results of the weekend.