“See you all soon” – Return to racing imminent? Former world champion intrigues fans after missing entire season so far
Cyclocross
Ceylin del Carmen Alvarado has given the strongest indication yet that her long-awaited cyclocross comeback is close, after posting a pointed update on social media suggesting her knee injury recovery has finally turned a corner.
The 27-year-old former world champion shared a photo of herself in running gear on Instagram, accompanied by the message:
“Run means gooo. See you all soon… or should I say, à bientôt.”
For a rider who has been completely absent from the 2025-26 winter so far, the significance is clear. Running has typically been one of the last checkpoints in her rehabilitation, and the upbeat tone of the message marks a sharp contrast to the uncertainty that surrounded her condition throughout November.
The clearest sign yet after weeks of uncertainty
The post comes around a month after Alvarado was ruled out indefinitely. In early November, team boss Christoph Roodhooft told Sporza that her planned return at Tabor on 23 November had been abandoned, admitting:
“It is not clear when she will race again. The initial plan was Tabor, but that will be too soon.”
Although Alvarado has remained active on social media since then, none of her posts indicated anything about her physical condition or the progress of her rehabilitation. This latest update is the first clear hint that her recovery is advancing to the point where a return is now in sight.
Alvarado has 48 pro wins on her palmares
A season moving on without one of its biggest names
Alvarado’s absence has been one of the defining storylines of the women’s cyclocross season so far. She entered the winter as one of the sport’s most consistently elite performers, having backed up her 2023-24 World Cup overall triumph with another outstanding 2024-25 campaign featuring major wins at Namur and Zonhoven, multiple Superprestige victories and European Championship silver.
Without her, the front of the field has taken on a different shape. Lucinda Brand has dominated much of November, while Inge van der Heijden captured the European title with a career-best performance.
The other headline riders are also navigating disrupted campaigns. Fem van Empel has been out since her DNF at Koppenbergcross on 1 November, Puck Pieterse is not expected to return until 14 December in Namur, and Zoe Backstedt’s comeback remains unclear following the heavy training crash in late October in which she said, “My helmet saved my life.”
In that context, Alvarado’s return would inject another major contender into a field that has been missing several of its biggest names.
What her update actually signals
Alvarado has not announced a race date or given any specifics about her condition, but the combination of running work, a confident tone and the decision to share it publicly is the clearest sign yet that her rehabilitation has moved into its final phase.
This update suggests she is close enough to full training that a return during the December block — or the traditional Christmas period — is now a realistic possibility.
Whenever she does come back, her presence will have an immediate impact. Alvarado was one of the most consistent podium threats across the past two winters, capable of winning on technical courses and power circuits alike. Even with her delayed start, she will re-enter the campaign as a rider who can reshape the front of races as soon as she pins on a number again.
Kieran WoodDeputy Editor-in-Chief
Kieran Wood is a sports journalist based in Wales and has been active in journalism since 2022. He regularly contributes to DartsNews.com and CyclingUpToDate.com, where he covers professional cycling and darts. In cycling, his work includes liveblogs from major races, including the Tour de France, the Giro d’Italia, and La Vuelta a España, alongside race reports and analysis. He has also conducted interviews with professional riders.
His reporting spans the full racing calendar, from one-day classics to stage races, with a focus on accurate, real-time coverage and clear contextual analysis. For statistics, results, and historical context, he regularly uses resources such as ProCyclingStats. To support reporting on rider activity and training context where relevant, he also references Strava.
In his work, Kieran places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles as new, verified information becomes available.
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