French cyclist Aude Biannic, 34, has become the first rider in the professional peloton in France to become a mother and return to the elite level. In an interview with the French newspaper ‘L’Equipe’, Biannic shared how she experienced her pregnancy, her return to cycling and her feelings ahead of her third Tour de France Femmes. “Holding my son Noah in my arms at the start of the Tour, which began in my hometown in Brittany, was an extra motivation. It’s my third Tour, but the first one in this dual role,” said the Movistar rider, who missed last year’s race due to her pregnancy.

During the first months of pregnancy, Biannic decided to stop competing as a precaution. “We know that the risk of miscarriage is higher during the first trimester. And in races, the risk of crashing is greater than in training. I don’t regret listening to my body and pausing my career,” she told ‘L’Equipe’.

However, before confirming her pregnancy, she raced two events: the Tour of Flanders, where she finished 42nd, and Paris-Roubaix, which she had to abandon. “I felt something was happening, but I decided to take the test after Paris-Roubaix. I couldn’t have raced it knowing I was pregnant.”

Team support and return to the peloton

The rider thanked Movistar and her close circle for their support. “When I told my team, we talked about La Vuelta, but the most important thing was taking care of the baby. I’m grateful for their support,” she said. During her pregnancy, she kept riding but without intensity: “I took my gravel bike and went out on the greenways around Quimper. It helped me disconnect.”

In November 2024, Noah was born, three weeks earlier than expected. Barely a month later, Biannic resumed training. “I needed to get back on the bike to clear my mind. We know postpartum depression is common, but cycling helped me stay strong.”

Inspiration for other cyclists

Since her return, Biannic has received recognition from many fellow riders in the peloton. “Several girls ask me for advice, impressed. For me, it’s important to show that you can have a child and return to the highest level, just as Lizzie Deignan and Ellen van Dijk have done,” she said.

Now, Biannic is focused on performing at her best in the Tour de France Femmes, with a clear goal: “I want to help my team in the most important race of the year.” For now, she has already helped many women with her inspiring story, one that, hopefully, in a few years will simply be part of what is normal for an elite athlete, regardless of the sport.