Silke Smulders' 2026 cycling season has hit a rough patch, with a serious crash during the Setmana Ciclista Volta Femenina de la Comunitat Valenciana leaving her with a fractured lumbar vertebra. The Dutch rider, who recently extended her contract with the Liv-AlUla-Jayco team through 2027, was aiming to build on her runner-up finish at the Santos Tour Down Under, a home race for her team. However, her return to racing was cut short after a crash during stage 2 of the Setmana Valenciana. Smulders was unable to finish the stage, and her team later confirmed the extent of her injuries, wishing her a 'speedy recovery'. This setback comes after she was forced to miss the Women's Tour Down Under earlier in the season. The crash, which occurred with one kilometre to go, disrupted the sprint trains and caused chaos. Smulders' teammate Letizia Paternoster managed to avoid the carnage and took second place in Vila-Real. Despite her recent contract extension, Smulders' season has been marred by injuries, leaving her and her team with a challenging road to recovery. But here's where it gets controversial... Could this be a turning point for Smulders, or will it set her back further? And this is the part most people miss... The team's decision to prioritize her recovery over racing might be seen as a wise move, but it also raises questions about her future prospects. What do you think? Will Smulders bounce back stronger, or will this injury have a lasting impact on her career? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
