British cyclist Simon Carr is boldly stepping away from what he describes as "the hardest season I've ever faced." As he gears up for the 2026 racing year, he aims to turn around the challenges he encountered during a grueling 2025 season with Cofidis, his second year with the team.
At just 27 years old, Carr made the move to Cofidis from EF Education-EasyPost last winter, eagerly anticipating his chance to compete in the prestigious Tour de France that summer. However, his journey was fraught with difficulties. Although he participated in 26 race days, disappointingly, nine of those ended with him not finishing (DNF), which included a tough experience at the Vuelta a España.
Despite these setbacks, Carr managed to regain a solid level of fitness by the summer, culminating in a commendable finish at the Donostia San Sebastián Klasikoa, where he placed 21st. With the Vuelta lined up next, he felt optimistic about his chances, but an unexpected illness struck him at the race's onset, taking him out of contention and impacting the rest of his season.
Reflecting on his health challenges, Carr remarked, "After [San Sebastián], I was really looking forward to showing what I could do at the Vuelta, but unfortunately, I fell ill just before the race began, along with my teammate Oliver Knight."
Looking ahead, Carr has teamed up with a new coach, Fred Ostian, who recently joined Cofidis from Arkéa-B&B Hotels. He expresses confidence, stating he is "not far from my best level" based on his physical tests and overall feelings as he prepares for the new season.
Dani Ostanek, a Senior News Writer at Cyclingnews, has been with the publication since 2017, initially as a freelance contributor before being brought on board full-time. She has a passion for several major cycling events, including the Strade Bianche, the Tour de France Femmes, Paris-Roubaix, and Tro-Bro Léon.
As a community, how do you think athletes like Carr manage to overcome such intense seasons? Do you believe the pressures of professional sports impact their performance in the long run? Share your thoughts below!
