Pauline Ferrand-Prévot explains early end to 2026 season after just 20 race days

It had been coming for a little while, but on Friday it was also confirmed by Visma | Lease a Bike: Pauline Ferrand-Prévot will not race again in 2026. The Frenchwoman withdrew before the penultimate stage of the Tour de France Femmes, and — just like Jonas Vingegaard on the men’s side — she will not return to competition again this year.

French sports newspaper L’Équipe had already reported on Wednesday that Ferrand-Prévot, unlike in the previous two seasons, had no interest in competing at the World Championships. The course in Montreal, Canada, could nevertheless have suited her qualities, while the 34-year-old had completed only 20 race days so far this season.

With few other major races left on the calendar, that also led to the conclusion that Ferrand-Prévot was unlikely to race again this year. On Friday, her team Visma | Lease a Bike confirmed that assumption. “Pauline Ferrand-Prévot will not race again this season.”

“In consultation with the team, it has been decided that Pauline will take the time to rest and recover for the remainder of the season. We wish Pauline all the best for the weeks ahead and look forward to seeing her racing with the team next season,” the Dutch team said. Ferrand-Prévot remains under contract with Visma | Lease a Bike for another two years.

She posted an update herself on Instagram Friday evening, alongside a photo with her partner Dylan van Baarle. “Recovery mode unlocked,” she wrote. “Spending time with my loved ones was much needed after the past three busy seasons and after achieving things I never thought I would be able to achieve.”

Ferrand-Prévot was not only referring to her 2025 Tour de France Femmes victory, but above all to winning Olympic mountain-bike gold in front of her home crowd at the Paris Games in 2024 and the long build-up required to reach that goal. “Thank you so much for your support, lovely people ❤️ and see you soon,” she concluded.