{"id":348040,"date":"2025-12-16T02:58:10","date_gmt":"2025-12-16T02:58:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/348040\/"},"modified":"2025-12-16T02:58:10","modified_gmt":"2025-12-16T02:58:10","slug":"french-cross-megatalent-still-without-a-contract-for-2026","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/348040\/","title":{"rendered":"French \u2018cross megatalent still without a contract for 2026"},"content":{"rendered":"

Amandine Fouquenet has certainly been waves in \u2018cross Two weeks after finishing second in Flamanville, the 24-year-old claimed third in Namur, Belgium, behind Dutch stars Lucinda Brand and Aniek Van Alphen. \u201cIt feels incredible to be on the podium again,\u201d Fouquenet told Le T\u00e9l\u00e9gramme.<\/a><\/p>\n

2026 looms<\/p>\n

Despite her back-to-back UCI CX World Cup success, the France champion is reportedly still without a team for 2026 following the closure of Ark\u00e9a-B & B Hotels. \u201cI\u2019m focused on racing and training, and the rest will sort itself out,\u201d she added. Ark\u00e9a-B & B Hotels is the same team of Rafaelle Carrier.<\/a> It began supporting the \u2018cross, road and MTB star in 2024, and she rode as a stagiaire on the team this year. Carrier as well has not announced a new team.<\/p>\n

Amandine Fouquenet \ud83c\uddeb\ud83c\uddf7 with a solid start!<\/p>\n

She is feeling the pressure from behind though, with Lucinda Brand closing the gap and getting into her groove on one of her favourite courses!<\/p>\n

Jolanda Neff \ud83c\udd99 into fourth place. #CXWorldCup<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/dmYJ7J8Z6l<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 UCI Cyclocross (@UCI_CX) December 14, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n

The Lac-Beauport, Que. took the under-23 national crown, and followed up the next day with beating all of the elite women at the C1 event in L\u00e9vis. She will be heading to Europe as part of the Canadian contingent for the Christmas \u2018cross<\/a>, with eyes on the world championships in Hulst, the the Netherlands.<\/p>\n

Sunday\u2019s race in Namur<\/p>\n

Fouquenet once again showcased her strength in Namur<\/a>, finishing third behind Lucinda Brand and Aniek van Alphen. She got away early and held a podium spot throughout the race. Fouquenet fended off a late challenge from Puck Pieterse, who made her season debut and took fourth. Brand, who once again dominated all day, crossed the line with her tenth win of the season, while van Alphen maintained her series lead. Sidney McGill was the top Canadian in 21st, with Maghalie Rochette in 23rd and Dorothee Perron in 46th. Fouquenet\u2019s aggressive ride on the cobbled climbs and technical sections kept her in contention lap after lap, proving once more that she belongs among the sport\u2019s elite \u2014 even as questions linger over her team future for 2026.<\/p>\n