Hat trick motivates world road champ Ferrand-Prevot

Defending champion Pauline Ferrand-Prevot of France is confident entering Saturday's road race at the World Road Cycling Championships after having completed a historic hat trick of women's global crowns.

The 23-year-old won the world cyclo-cross and world mountain bike titles this year after taking the 2014 road race, becoming the first rider in cycling history with such a versatile world title treble.

Now Ferrand-Prevot faces the challenge of trying to keep her rainbow jersey and she likes her repeat chances.

"I'm really motivated to keep this world championship," she said. "Since my mountain bike title, I was extremely motivated. Training these days was not a problem. When you win a world title, you are motivated to work. I'll be in very good form, much better than last year.

"I think I can play a leading role on Saturday."

Ferrand-Prevot sees her usual Rabo-Liv club teammate, Dutch star Anna Van der Bruggen, and Britain's Lizzie Armitstead as major rivals in her repeat bid.