Two years after Tour de France Femmes podium with Vollering and Niewiadoma, pregnant Rooijakkers is already planning comeback

With Kasia Niewiadoma and Demi Vollering once again battling at the Tour de France Femmes, there are clear echoes of their dramatic 2024 duel. Back then, the Polish rider beat the Dutchwoman by just four seconds in the final general classification. Third that year was Pauliena Rooijakkers, who herself finished only ten seconds away from the yellow jersey. On Friday evening, Rooijakkers appeared on De Avondetappe.

Rooijakkers is not riding the Tour de France Femmes this year, and she has a very good reason. Ten weeks ago, the 33-year-old and her partner, former professional rider Ronan van Zandbeek, announced that they are expecting a child.

Watching the women she fought for Tour victory with two years ago battling for the biggest prize again, while she is now on the sidelines, has brought mixed emotions for Rooijakkers. “The Tour de France is obviously the race you work towards all year,” she explained. “For me, that was always a very special focus. And now that I’m pregnant this year, I suddenly found myself in a bit of a void.”

“All of a sudden, I didn’t really know what I was supposed to be working towards. That took some adjustment and getting used to. I’m doing really well, but I do miss it. It feels very strange to be here, especially today at the start. Normally, you’re sitting in the team bus getting ready. But at the same time, it’s also really nice to experience it from the other side for once.”

Rooijakkers rode for Canyon//SRAM in 2022 and 2023, where she was a teammate of Niewiadoma. Before the start of the Mont Ventoux stage, she caught up with the Polish rider. “I said to her, ‘You look so relaxed!’ She really seemed different to me compared with other years: less tense and just very relaxed.” Rooijakkers therefore was not surprised by Niewiadoma’s performances.

“It doesn’t surprise me that she has ridden so well over the past few days and that she is in such good shape. She even said herself, ‘Oh yeah, you think so? So I really am showing it!’” “But the girls around her in the team are also very relaxed. There’s a really good atmosphere, and that’s what she likes. She’s very much someone who rides on feeling. She understands her body incredibly well and is quick to say, ‘I feel like this today.’ What she showed today was typical Kasia.”

Rooijakkers already knows that, if circumstances allow, she wants to return to the professional peloton after her pregnancy. “I already know that’s what I want. Actually, I knew from the moment I found out I was pregnant. We immediately said, ‘I want to try to pick it up again next year.’ Of course, we have to wait and see how everything goes — both with the baby and with me — but in principle, I really want to give it a chance.” The desire to compete has clearly not disappeared.

“I really miss it. I love working towards something and having that focus. I also love being part of all the new developments in cycling: the training, altitude camps and everything that comes with it.” Rooijakkers is still staying active during her pregnancy. “I’m still keeping busy. Now that I’m pregnant, I’m trying to stay as fit as possible. I’m still swimming and cycling,” said the rider from Venray. “But everything is completely based on how I feel. I don’t want to force anything.”

Rooijakkers isn’t the only female cyclist who wants to return to the peloton in 2026 after a pregnancy: Elise Chabbey (FDJ-Suez) and Emma Norsgaard (Lidl-Trek), among others, also want to achieve what Ellen van Dijk did earlier.

“A few years ago, without the current UCI regulations for pregnant riders, you probably would simply have had to end your career,” Rooijakkers said. “Now we have maternity leave and we are protected.” Rooijakkers says her team is giving her plenty of support, even though dealing with a pregnant elite athlete is also new territory for the staff.

“That’s difficult, because the team doesn’t have any experience yet with pregnant elite athletes. So at the moment, I’m doing a lot based on my own feeling. But they keep track of everything and closely monitor my training.” “If there’s something I’m unsure about, or if I think I could perhaps do a little more, I get in touch and they fully support me. I spoke to the staff members and physiotherapists again this morning. Everyone was shouting, ‘Ah, see you next year!’ The girls were all super enthusiastic. Of course, it’s something new for them as well,” Rooijakkers said with a smile.