Karolina Kumięga has ended her 2026 season as she continues to recover from a difficult run of health problems that has kept her away from racing in recent months.
The Polish rider said the problems began after two surgeries late in 2025, followed by months of chronic pain and rehabilitation. A severe bout of flu in February and several courses of antibiotics then added to the strain, with repeated attempts to return to full training eventually leading to what she described as post-viral fatigue.
Kumięga said the decision now is to stop trying to force a comeback and instead concentrate on a gradual recovery, with the aim of rebuilding towards future seasons.
Repeated comeback attempts took their toll
Kumięga’s 2026 season had already been heavily disrupted before she stepped away from racing. She joined St Michel-Preference Home-Auber93 this year on a two-year contract after rebuilding her career in 2025, when she raced for KDM-Pack Women Cycling Team and earned a return to the professional ranks.
ProCyclingUK covered that move when Kumięga signed with St Michel-Preference Home-Auber93 for 2026 and 2027.
She returned to WorldTour-level racing with the French team this season, including an appearance at the Giro d’Italia Women, but was unable to build the consistent programme she had hoped for.
“It was just a run of bad luck where everything accumulated,” Kumięga said. “Every time I tried to make a comeback, a domino effect took over, eventually leading to post-viral fatigue.”
St Michel continue to support Kumięga through recovery
Kumięga also emphasised the support she has received from St Michel-Preference Home-Auber93 during the setback. Her contract runs through 2027, so there is no immediate pressure to secure another team while she works through the recovery process.
She described the team as a place where she feels “safe and like at home”, adding that the staff have continued to back her despite the lack of racing.
That support comes as St Michel prepare to place even greater emphasis on the women’s programme from next season. The team’s wider plans are covered in our piece on St Michel-Preference Home-Auber93’s professional focus from 2027.
No timetable set for a return
Kumięga has not set a date for returning to racing. The immediate plan is a step-by-step rebuild rather than another short-term attempt to get back into competition before she is ready.
“The main focus now is a proper recovery and a step-by-step rebuild for the upcoming seasons,” she said.
For now, that means the remainder of 2026 will be spent away from racing, with the focus firmly on health before any decision is made about when training and competition can resume.
