Tour de France Femmes podium finisher Pauliena Rooijakkers announces pregnancy and a racing break

The women's peloton will have to make do without one of its star climbers in 2026. The third rider of the 2024 Tour de France Femmes, Pauliena Rooijakkers, will step away from racing for a foreseeable future to fully focus on more joyous moments in her life - welcoming her first child - as she announces pregnancy.

Naturally, this means that the 33-year-old Dutchwoman will have a forced break from racing, although a return is expected during 2027 with new drive and motivation. Next year, she'll still wear the UAE Team ADQ colours.

"In recent years, the level of women’s cycling has risen enormously," the climber states in a press release. "It is a sport that demands more and more from the body, and as athletes, we sometimes face difficult moments regarding health and well-being. Over the past few months, with the support of the team, I have worked hard on myself to regain my balance, well-being, and peace of mind."

"This pregnancy came as a surprise, but as a woman, it makes me incredibly happy. For me, it is also a positive sign and a confirmation that my body is healthy again. These are completely new emotions for me, and I probably still need time to fully realize everything that is currently happening. But I can truly say that I feel deeply happy and grateful, knowing that a baby will soon be part of our lives."

Despite this "forced" absence, Rooijakkers is already looking ahead to her return to the peloton. As a top-10 finisher at both Tour de France Femmes and Giro d'Italia Women in 2025, she definitely feels as though there's more to achieve in the sport even if personal life is taking a priority at the moment.

"Now I want to fully enjoy this new chapter in my life, but I also feel that I have even more to offer in cycling. The plan is to return after my pregnancy. Even over the past few months, I have cycled almost every day and followed all the team’s races on TV," she declares.