Major contender ruled out of European Championships elite women's race - World Championships crash proves too much for rider to make comeback

Cycling
Paula Blasi
Paula Blasi will not start the European Championships road race in Slovenia after failing to recover in time from her crash at the recent World Championships in Montreal. The Spanish rider was included in the national squad, but the aftermath of the incident means she is not in the right condition to tackle the continental event.
Blasi’s absence is a setback for Spain, which loses a rider who arrived at the Euros after representing the national team at the Worlds in Canada. The priority now is to complete her recovery and avoid any unnecessary risk before returning to competition.
The move also means a top contender will not be there to challenge new world champion Demi Vollering. Riders such as Kasia Niewiadoma, Elisa Longo Borghini and Marlen Reusser are among the big names in Slovenia on Saturday.
Blasi’s withdrawal is compounded by those of Mireia Benito and Lidia Castro, both sidelined by health issues. Neither rider will be able to take the start at the continental showcase, leaving Spain three riders down compared to the initial call-up.
These absences force the national team to approach the Euros with a last-minute reshuffle. The situation hits a squad that had planned to line up several of its key riders for a race set to gather many of Europe’s leading women.

Recovery before returning to racing

Paula Blasi’s case is directly linked to her crash in Montreal. The Catalan has not completed the recovery process in time to guarantee the condition required for a top-level event like the European Championships. The decision to sit out prioritises her health and avoids the risk that an early return could hinder her comeback.
Blasi was among the Spanish riders at the Montreal Worlds, a race marked by multiple incidents and DNFs. The crash disrupted her build-up for the next major international objective of the season.
As for Mireia Benito and Lidia Castro, their withdrawals are due to health reasons. Neither will be available to the selector for the championship, further narrowing Spain’s options to shape its roster in Slovenia.

Spain pick up the pieces

The three absences come at a pivotal point in the calendar, with national teams tackling one of the last major international dates of the year. The Euros also offer a chance to close the season with a strong performance against the continent’s top nations.
Spain will need to adapt its strategy to the circumstances and maximise the riders at its disposal for the race. Meanwhile, Blasi, Benito, and Castro will focus on their respective recoveries before pinning on a number again.
Messages from within the national team are supportive of the three riders, with the hope they overcome their issues quickly and return to competition in the best possible shape.
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