"Now I can help my family" - Paula Blasi goes from paying for her own bike to a WorldTour star in just two years
CyclingTuesday, 25 August 2026 at 06:00
Cycling has transformed Paula Blasi’s life in just two years. The Catalan rider, who not long ago had to cover much of the cost of racing out of her own pocket, now finds herself in a very different position: top teams are circling, and the figures being discussed for her next contract reflect her rising value in the women’s peloton.
During RTVE’s broadcast of the Vuelta a España with Carlos de Andrés, Blasi admitted she still struggles to grasp the scale her career has reached. Her destination for next season remains unannounced, but the interest from several teams has made her one of the most sought-after names on the market. Beyond the money, what shocks the Catalan most is the speed at which her reality has changed.
"I was even surprised coming here in normal street clothes, people ask for a photo, and I think: oh, they recognise me even without cycling kit," she told De Andrés and Delgado. The anecdote captures her surge in popularity, though Blasi insists she barely notices that shift day to day. She remains rooted in Cerdanya, surrounded by friends, with a life that in many ways is still the same.
"The good thing is I’ve normalised it, because I carry on with my life here in Cerdanya. My friends know me and that’s about it, so I don’t feel much change," she said. However, when the discussion turned to the financial impact of her progression, the rider admitted she has had to adapt.
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Barely two years ago, things were completely different. Blasi recalled that, racing with smaller setups, even a crash could become a personal financial problem. If she broke her bike, she had to pay for the repair or a new machine. Her first salary with a development team was around 1,000 euros per month, a figure that already felt remarkable at the time.
"Do I deserve all this?" Paula Blasi on cloud nine amid the recognition
"I was earning a thousand euros a month and I thought: wow, I don’t know if… They’re covering everything, they’re paying me," she laughed. The leap since then has been huge. Professionalisation, results, and team interest have put Blasi in a position that not long ago seemed almost unimaginable.
She admits that at first she even wondered whether she really deserved the numbers being floated. "At the beginning I even felt bad, thinking: do I really deserve this? I’m just riding my bike," she said. It reflects how fast she has gone from paying to race to becoming one of the riders whose future stirs excitement in the women’s market.
Over time, though, that feeling has given way to calm. Beyond being able to make a living and having far better conditions to pursue her career, Blasi finds extra motivation in the chance to help her family. Her brother is still studying, and contributing financially at home feels like a particularly meaningful reward.
Paula Blasi sobre su (posible) contrato de 1 M€ al año:
— elsterrato (@elsterrato) August 24, 2026
"me sentía mal al oírlo. Al llegar al equipo de desarrollo (del UAE Team) ganaba 1000 €. Ahora me da mucha tranquilidad y si puedo ayudar a mi familia..."https://t.co/W3UN54WKQ8 pic.twitter.com/3cMJBe7vnw
"I want to help my family, my brother is studying"
"If I can think about helping my family, my brother is still studying, so being able to help them brings extra peace of mind," she explained. For Blasi, the money is not just a personal gain but a chance to give back to the people who supported her rise to the elite.
"I ride my bike, I’m happy, and at least I can help them too," she summed up. It is a way of understanding her new reality that keeps her grounded while her career accelerates.
The next chapter is still to be written. Blasi did not reveal which team she will race for next season, but her situation shows how far she has moved up in women’s cycling. Two years ago she was fighting for a spot and covering racing costs. Now teams are knocking on her door and top-tier contracts are on the horizon. Her challenge will be to turn that off-bike growth into wins on the road.
Ondrej ZhasilCycling Journalist
Ondřej Zhasil is a cycling journalist at CyclingUpToDate and has been part of the team since 2023. He is based in Ostrava, the third-largest city in the Czech Republic, and covers professional cycling across the main UCI competitions, including the Tour de France, the Giro d’Italia, and La Vuelta a España. A key focus of his work is startlist analysis and pre-race coverage, where he examines team selections, rider line-ups, and tactical scenarios ahead of major events.
Alongside WorldTour coverage, Ondřej has developed specific expertise in junior cycling and in racing across East Asia, including competitions in China and Japan. He also maintains a broad working knowledge of other disciplines and levels, including cyclocross, while continuing to expand his understanding of mountain bike racing.
Ondřej holds a bachelor’s degree in Mathematics and Physics, which supports his analytical, data-driven approach to performance and race analysis. In his reporting, he regularly uses ProCyclingStats for results, statistics, and historical context. He places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available.
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PAULO25-08-2026 - What about Almeida? I know he barely competed this year. His time trial was the best of the rest. For a guy who lack a little on technique showed a lot of power. I'll count on him.PAULO25-08-2026
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