Paula Blasi completes time trial recon after 50km/h crash, seven hours in hospital and four stitches

Paula Blasi crashed on a corner during Wednesday’s reconnaissance, suffering abrasions to her arm, leg and abdomen. After receiving hospital treatment, the 23-year-old UAE Team ADQ rider returned later that day to complete the course and continue her preparations for the national time trial.

The UAE Team ADQ rider came down while taking a corner at more than 50km/h. Blasi later shared photographs on social media showing abrasions to her arm, leg and abdomen, with a bandage covering the wound that required four stitches.

“Guess this is what happens when you take a corner at over 50 kilometres per hour,” Blasi wrote on Instagram.

Despite the crash and lengthy hospital visit, the 23-year-old Catalan returned to the course later on Wednesday. She completed the reconnaissance and was able to test her new time trial bike ahead of the national championship.

“Finally, after seven hours in the hospital and four stitches, we were able to finish the reconnaissance and use the new bike,” she said.

There was no immediate indication that Blasi would withdraw from Thursday’s race. She is expected to start as one of the leading contenders for the Spanish time trial title.

The national championships are the latest chapter in a remarkable 2026 season that has established Blasi as one of the most exciting riders in the women’s WorldTour.

The Llivia native joined the UAE Development Team at the beginning of 2025 after switching her focus from running and triathlon to cycling in early 2024. She was promoted to UAE Team ADQ’s WorldTour squad later that season.

Her rise accelerated dramatically this spring. Blasi became the first Spanish rider to win the Amstel Gold Race after attacking alone to claim victory in April. She followed that result with third place at La Flèche Wallonne and fifth at Liège Bastogne Liège Femmes.

In May, Blasi secured the biggest victory of her career by winning the Vuelta a España Femenina. She overturned the general classification on the final stage to the Alto de l’Angliru and also claimed the mountains classification, becoming the first Spanish rider to win the race.

Blasi had already won the Volta a Catalunya Femenina earlier in the season, where she took victory on the second stage to La Molina before securing the overall title.

Blasi’s rapid sporting rise has also increased her value away from the bike. Her agent, Alex Carera, has said he wants the Spaniard to become the first female cyclist to earn an annual salary of €1 million.

Carera, who also represents Tadej Pogačar, believes Blasi has the sporting and commercial potential to change the financial ceiling of the women’s peloton.

“My goal is for Paula Blasi to become the first female cyclist with a salary of one million euros,” Carera told The Athletic. “That is my objective, because she is the future star of cycling.”

Several WorldTour teams have reportedly shown interest in signing Blasi for 2028 and beyond. Lidl-Trek, Uno-X Mobility and FDJ Suez have all been linked with the Spaniard, while current team UAE Team ADQ is also expected to seek an extension.

Blasi remains under contract with UAE Team ADQ until the end of 2027. For now, however, her immediate focus is on recovering from Wednesday’s crash and competing for the Spanish time trial title.