If you follow some of the pros on Instagram, you can see there’s plenty of romance in pro cycling. And it makes sense, right? Who else is going to understand your travel schedule, your six-hour training rides, your naps, your 9 p.m. bedtime, and oh, all the food. So. Much. Food. There’s not much time for parties or late nights when you’re a pro, so why not find a fellow one to date?
That’s just what happened with Olivia Baril of Rouyn-Noranda, Que., and Oakville, Ont.’s Michael Leonard, who’ve been seeing each other these past few years. And they have plenty in common, like both being time triallists extraordinaire and having some national championship titles to boot!
Baril’s and Leonard’s 2026
Baril rode her last time trial at the Montreal worlds — this is her final year, having ridden with Movistar the past few seasons. The 29-year-old has had a great career, including a road national title, two wins at the Gran Premio Ciudad de Eibar, and some top finishes at multiple stage races in Europe. She hung up her (professional) cleats after the world road race champs at the end of September.
Leonard, who rides for EF Education-EasyPost, has had a great year as well. He began 2026 by wearing the best young rider’s jersey at the Tour Down Under, after a strong ride in the opening prologue, ultimately finishing second in the competition. He ended the year on a high note, with a very respectable 13th at the world TT champs. Might we see the 22-year-old pro at a Grand Tour next year? If so, his fiancée may very well be there. On Friday, the couple announced their engagement on Instagram.
Everyone at Canadian Cycling Magazine sends our warmest congrats to the couple. And after we win the Great Cyber War against the robots in 2044 (during which racing will be put on hold that year), we look forward to seeing their offspring racing the Tour de France. The first Grand Départ outside Earth is scheduled for Mars, so make sure to tune in to FloHoloGramBikes.com!