Photo via Cyclingnews

'I lost the joy of the everyday life' – Pauline Ferrand-Prévot heads for much-needed off-season reset after Tour de France Femmes 'ended up with nothing' in 2026

Pauline van Baarle is taking an extended break to recover from a difficult 2026 campaign that saw her withdraw from the Tour de France Femmes before the eighth stage. The rider, who logged only 19 days of competition this year, admitted that her intense focus on professional success caused her to lose sight of personal happiness.

She is now prioritizing a return to enjoying her time on the bike after a season that failed to meet her high expectations.

Despite the professional setbacks, the cyclist celebrated a major personal milestone by marrying Dylan van Baarle. She noted that this life event provided a sense of fulfillment she had not previously experienced while pursuing extreme athletic goals.

She plans to use these lessons to find a more balanced approach as she works toward regaining her competitive form.

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