Namur World Cup podium finish boosts Amandine Fouquenet's 2026 contract search
Amandine Fouquenet, the French national cyclocross champion, has sent a strong message to potential sponsors with her third-place finish in the World Cup at Namur. This achievement follows her second-place finish at the Flamanville World Cup earlier in the season, showcasing her consistent performance on the international stage.
The 24-year-old, however, remains without a contract for 2026 after the Arkéa - B&B Hotels Women's team collapsed due to a lack of sponsorship. Despite this setback, Fouquenet's recent success has been remarkable.
Just one minute behind the winner, Fouquenet demonstrated her resilience by overcoming the challenge of Puck Pieterse (Fenix - Deceuninck) to secure a spot on the podium. Her performance was praised by her peers, including Lucinda Brand, who noted her impressive start and overall ride.
Fouquenet's 'cross season began with a third-place finish in the Superprestige at Ruddervoorde and a fifth-place finish at the European Championships in Middelkerke. Her coach, Léonard Cosnier, revealed that she was in advanced contact with a team, but the deal fell through.
This year, Fouquenet's road campaign with Arkéa - B&B Hotels Women has mirrored that of a traditional cyclocross rider, including the Spring Classics and a 16th-place finish in the The Morbihan Classic in France. She has yet to finish outside the top 10 this 'cross season and has achieved four podium finishes, including a convincing win at the Coupe de France series race in Quelneuc.
Fouquenet expressed her optimism about the future, stating, 'I haven't had any slumps and I hope I don't.' She is grateful for the support from Arkéa, Legendre, and M'Gys, but remains hopeful of finding a cross and road team for 2026. With her age and mental focus on nutrition, sleep, and recovery, Fouquenet is determined to continue her successful streak and secure a contract for the upcoming season.
