Sports often provide the backdrop for important love stories, and one of these features Dylan Van Baarle and Pauline Ferrand-Prévot. Both ride for Visma – Lease a Bike, and she has just become the heroine of France by winning the Tour de France, adding to her already extraordinary palmares. He, Dutch, can boast a victory at Paris-Roubaix and has always played an important role in one-day races within the yellow-black team.

Dylan Van Baarle is in retreat in Tignes, preparing for the Vuelta a España, and therefore could not attend the finish of the Women's Tour de France to celebrate his partner's extraordinary success.

"I couldn't hug her at the end of the race and congratulate her," Van Baarle said from Tignes: "Pauline has won everything in cycling, but this Tour was her dream and she managed to conquer it."

Both are 33 years old and share a passion for cycling, which is also their work. Dylan and Pauline understand the sacrifices of their job, and distance between them is part of their profession.

"I watched the race from the chalet with the entire team. I wasn't shouting in front of the television, but I had an enormous smile on my face and all the guys were happy with me."

Pauline Ferrand-Prévot is the first French woman to win the Tour de France since Jeannie Longo last won the yellow race in 1989, which naturally had a significant media effect. "It was beautiful for me to see that all her work was rewarded. Sunday was a special day for her, but it was also special for me."

Both high-level cyclists, they know they must stay apart when work requires it, but during the alpine stages, Dylan Van Baarle managed to visit his Pauline.

"When I went to the race, we only talked about daily things and a bit about the stage. I had a feeling it would be a very important day for the general classification, and so it was. I am truly happy about all the great things she has managed to do. I am proud of her."