Two-time US road champion Kristen Faulkner makes her first start in seven months for EF Education-Oatly, accepting a late call to compete this Sunday at the Tour of Flanders. She departed mid-way through the Tour de France Femmes last August with shoulder pain and was off the bike for an extended time following surgery in September.
The 2026 season began with high notes as Faulkner went to South America for the Pan American Championships, the track and road competitions held a week apart in Chile in March. All systems were a go as she earned gold medals in the Team Pursuit and Individual Pursuit, then won the individual time trial title.
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“I think it will be good to get back into road racing before the Ardennes and just get to spend time with the team. I really miss my teammates. And of course I love Flanders. I’ll be in a support role because I’m a last-minute call-up, but it’s the kind of race I can jump into and know what to do.”
“I’m doing the Ardennes. I’ve done those races almost every year. It’s a similar group of riders to the Grand Tours, and I’m planning to do all three Grand Tours this summer,” she said.
“I would like to win a stage at the Tour de France. My goal over the next two years is to wear the yellow jersey at some point, to win a Tour stage. I’ve won a stage at the Giro and the Vuelta, so winning a stage at the Tour would round that out nicely.”
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