The breakout star of the year was a favorite to win the rainbow bands. At least one in the 15-rider pileup exited the race in a neck brace.
MONTREAL, QUEBEC – SEPTEMBER 26: Paula Blasi and Team Spain prior to the 99th UCI Road World Championships Montreal 2026 – Women Elite Road Race a 180.1km one day race from Brossard to Montreal on September 26, 2026 in Montreal, Quebec. (Photo by Dario Belingheri/Getty Images) (Photo: Dario Belingheri/Getty Images)
Updated September 26, 2026 11:09AM
A bad crash ripped apart the women’s elite Road World Championships on Saturday, bringing down multiple contenders including Paula Blasi and defending world champion Magdeleine Vallieres.
Blasi, a breakout star of the season and a favorite to compete for rainbow bands, exited the race. Vallieres, her bibs tattered and bloody, got back on her bike but later abandoned.
About 15 total riders went down in the crash, which occurred in the middle of the peloton with about 95km remaining in the city circuit around Montreal.
Caroline Andersson (Sweden) lay motionless immediately following the crash and was put into a neck brace at the scene. Lauretta Hansen (Australia) was also not moving immediately following the crash. An ambulance was on site when the peloton passed by on the following lap of the circuit.
American Kate Courtney went down in the pileup as well, but stood up quickly, with rips in her bibs and jersey, and returned to the race once she received a replacement bike.
Andersson was a big concern due to that possible neck injury but Thomas Backteman, the president of the Swedish cycling federation, gave a reassuring interview to TNT Sport.
“We know that she was taken the hospital. She’s awake and it seems that she can move her arms and legs,” he said. “But that’s pretty much it… we are happy that she is in the hospital and under investigation, and we hope to get the doctor’s view as soon as possible.”
He confirmed that she was picked up by an ambulance relatively quickly, helping to lessen the danger.
“For us, it is important that she got treatment as soon as possible and becomes well again.”
This is a developing story…