Pauliena Rooijakkers pregnant for the first time, takes a break from cycling

Pauliena Rooijakkers will not race again this season as a cyclist due to a joyful reason: the 32-year-old rider from UAE Team ADQ is expecting her first child.

"In recent years, the level of women's cycling has risen significantly," the climber stated in a press release. "It is a sport that demands more and more from the body, and as athletes, we sometimes face challenging moments regarding health and well-being. In the past few months, with the support of the team, I have worked hard on restoring my balance, well-being, and peace of mind."

"This pregnancy came as a surprise, but as a woman, it makes me incredibly happy. For me, it is also a positive sign and a confirmation that my body is healthy again. These are entirely new emotions for me, and I will probably need some time to fully grasp everything that is happening right now. But I can truly say that I feel deeply happy and grateful, knowing that soon a child will be part of our lives."

"I feel that I still have more to offer in cycling"
However, Rooijakkers is already looking ahead to her return to the peloton. "Now I want to fully enjoy this new chapter in my life, but I also feel that I still have more to offer in cycling. The plan is to come back after my pregnancy. Even in recent months, I have ridden almost every day and watched all the team’s races on TV."

"Cycling remains an important part of my life, and I look forward to returning to racing next season, just like many other athletes have done successfully after motherhood."

Rooijakkers made the switch in the winter of 2025 from (then) Fenix-Deceuninck to UAE Team ADQ. We saw her debut for the WorldTour team at the Vuelta CV Feminas, but after withdrawing from the following Tour of Valencia due to physical issues, she did not race again for her new team. She still has a contract through the end of 2027.