Pauline Ferrand-Prevot's first gravel race ended with another rainbow jersey, but she couldn't linger at the finish of the UCI Gravel World Championships in Cittadella on Saturday evening, now with four world titles under her belt. There are still many miles to ride and promises to keep before the season comes to a close.

"I have to go home because I have another race tomorrow morning at 8:30 in Roc d'Azur," Ferrand-Prevot said as she left the victory press conference in the neoclassical Palazzo della Loggia about an hour after the awards ceremony. [He won two rainbow jerseys at the UCI Mountain Bike World Championships in Les Gets in August and the marathon title in Hazerslev the following month. I didn't want to lose today because I've won every race since Les Gets," Ferrand-Prevot said."

Although a newcomer to gravel racing, Ferrand-Prevot's pedigree of winning world titles in road, cyclo-cross, and mountain biking made it clear that he was a strong contender to win his first gold in the discipline. When the decisive move came with just under 60km to go, she inevitably rode to safety, helping to keep clear to the finish in the walled town of Cittadella.

"This World Cup was my first gravel race, so I didn't know what to expect. But I was in great shape and kept training at home, even though it was the last race of the season in October." I didn't train specifically for this race, but I continued to train pretty hard at home. I am really happy to have won."

The only significant hill of the day, Monte Bellico, came early in the race. Ferrand-Prevot was happy to ride to the finish with Sina Frei (Switzerland), Chiara Teocchi (Italy), and Jade Trefaisen (Germany). Ferrand-Prevot out sprinted Frei to win her 10th elite world title.

"I think I was the favorite to win because I had won every race since Les Gets. But gravel is not MTB and it is not a road race. You have to be good at both road and MTB," Ferrand-Prevot said.

"It was a good course. Although it could have been better with more uphill at the finish. You have to keep pushing all the time and there were a lot of corners."

The buzz around Ferrand-Prevot over the past few weeks has not been limited to his ever-growing wardrobe of rainbow jerseys. His impending departure from Team Absolute Absalon BMC has led to rumors of a move to a new team sponsored by Ineos.

The exact nature of the deal and whether Ferran-Prevot will return to the road wearing Ineos' colors is still unclear. Details of her 2023 plans will remain vague for at least a few more days.

"I can't say anything right now," she said. But I think we will know more by the end of the week."

Whatever the 2023 sponsor and whatever the terrain, the Rainbow Bands will remain constant.