A few days ago Pauline Ferrand Prevot married Dylan Van Baarle, announcing the happy news on social media. After many emotions and celebrations, the winner of the 2025 Tour de France Femmes published a carousel of photographs with a heartfelt letter to her fans. Images of the wedding preparations, the most beautiful moments of the ceremony with friends and family, but also a touching reflection on her difficult 2026.

«This is how my long but necessary off-season ends. After the Tour de France Femmes, I used my bike only occasionally, and I enjoyed what I wasn't allowed to do during the entire season. I spent time with my family, enjoyed the little things, and spent time away from the bike. I was so focused on winning the Tour de France Femmes again that I had lost the joy of everyday life, I thought of nothing but giving my best and being the best. I had already faced some difficult moments in my career when I felt sad and lost, but I had never found myself getting nothing after truly trying to do everything possible. I believe this is one of the reasons for my state of "confusion" in recent months,» writes Ferrand Prevot, analyzing an extremely complicated 2026. The French rider raced very little as is her custom, only 19 days of racing characterized by excellent placings in the classics, but which did not repeat themselves in the grand tours.

We have always been used to seeing a Pauline Ferrand Prevot focused on her objectives that she rarely missed, but this year something clearly didn't work. After the Vuelta ending on May 9th, the French athlete returned to racing in early August with the Tour de France Femmes; many expectations, much pressure for the defending champion who, however, never managed to shine. After an excellent first stage, Pauline fell into a downward spiral that led her to withdraw before the penultimate stage and that was the end of her season. «My long and endless seasonal break was exactly what I needed, it will be a long journey to regain a decent level since I'm completely out of shape. But the most important thing for now is to rediscover the joy of being in the saddle».

The wedding with Van Baarle, celebrated in the Netherlands by his mother, was the happiest day of her life, a joy greater than that of winning the Olympics, the Tour, or the Roubaix. Her special day was not without difficulties, however. Three weeks before the wedding, the Soudal Quick Step rider was hit by a car during training, forcing him to miss all end-of-season races. «With Dylan's accident during training, I realized that life is much more than winning bike races. Seeing the person I love go through such a difficult time helped me put things in the right perspective. For once I was "happy" to stand by him and do my best to support him. Usually he's the one who always takes care of me – Ferrand Prevot continues – Despite his serious accident three days before the ceremony, his cast was removed, he managed to walk almost normally to the altar and, most importantly, he remembered that he had to say yes. It was an absolutely special day, I remember feeling so happy when I won the Olympics, the Tour, or the Roubaix, but marrying Dylan in front of the most important people in our lives is something even greater. I had never experienced this feeling of being so happy without sacrificing everything or going to extremes. I will keep all of this in mind for the future»

The post written by Pauline Ferrand Prevot shows sincerely what lies behind every victory, the sacrifices and renunciations, the desire to always go further, but also the necessary awareness of stopping. A heartfelt message in which the French champion is not afraid to admit her fragilities, emphasizing how it is often necessary to put the human being before the athlete. The start of the 2027 season is still far away, Pauline Ferrand Prevot will have the opportunity to find herself step by step and in the timeframe she deems most appropriate to recover at her best.