Motherhood is no longer a barrier in women's racing

"I had seen firsthand how other riders had to leave their children with their grandparents, how they could hardly spend any time with them, and I wanted to do something different."

Today, cycling boasts a growing roster of mothers balancing family and competition.

Lidl-Trek's British rider Lizzie Deignan won Paris-Roubaix after giving birth, while teammate Ellen van Dijk competed in the Paris 2024 Olympics less than a year after her son was born, and, last week, was on the podium of the Amstel Gold Race.

"Sports science is still developing its literature on female performance — particularly in relation to motherhood," said Josu Larrazabal, Head of Performance at Lidl-Trek.

Two riders with the Movistar team, Aude Biannic and Arlenis Sierra, are currently on maternity leave.