Van Baarle back on track after painful stitches, while Ferrand-Prévot shares less positive update after physical setback

Van Baarle and Ferrand-Prévot ended their road season at the European Cycling Championships in Valence. At least, that was the plan. Van Baarle, who is transferring from Visma | Lease a Bike to Soudal-Quick Step after this season, rode the time trial, crashed hard, and had to skip the road race with a stitched knee. Ferrand-Prévot fell ill after the World Championships in Rwanda and was ultimately unable to participate.

Among the photos Van Baarle shared this week is one of his injured knee. That gives us all a better understanding of why he ultimately did not compete in the European Road Championships. From Valence, the duo traveled to Paris and from there, via their home in Monaco, to New York in America. Van Baarle's knee was already in good shape again, as evidenced by a ride on an electric bike and on the rollers in the apartment.

Ferrand-Prévot also got on her bike, but she was not yet at 100%. The Frenchwoman from Visma | Lease a Bike had surgery on her ankle after the European Championships, which had been bothering her for months. “I am enjoying every moment of this offseason to the fullest, but I am still struggling with my ankle, which has not fully recovered,” she wrote on her channels.

“It makes me tired, and there are days when I feel weak and sick,” said Ferrand-Prévot, who, according to her surgeon, needs to be patient. “Three more weeks, then everything should be fine. Mentally, I'm doing well. It's great to spend time with Dylan, his family, friends, and soon my family. However, the recovery will be painful, now that I've gone from being in top athletic shape to being sedentary in just a few weeks.”