'What feels wrong deep in my heart can't keep going on' – Peloton's only hijabi rider quits cycling for religious reasons

The women's peloton's only Hijabi rider, Safiya Al Sayegh of the United Arab Emirates, has ended her career as professional cyclist for religious reasons. Al Sayegh, 25, turned professional with UAE Team ADQ in 2022 as their sole Emirati rider, and has won multiple national titles in the UAE, finished on the podium at the Asian Continental Championships, and represented her country at the Olympic Games. In 2026 she stepped down from the WorldTour to ride for UAE's development team, which is closing its doors at the end of this season, and as such Al Sayegh will not continue racing…