A dog suddenly crossing the road while descending, the consequent fall and in an instant the start-of-year program changes: this is what happened to Silke Smulders while training for her seasonal debut.

The 24-year-old from Liv AlUla Jayco was supposed to start her season on January 17th at the Tour Down Under – where last year she finished second in the general classification – but unfortunately will have to forgo the trip to Australia.

"I won't experience the Australian summer this year, I'll stay home walking in the snow. The shoulder ligaments won't heal in time to race in Australia, I've lost an opportunity but fortunately the season is long" Silke wrote on her social media profiles.

In an official statement, Liv AlUla Jayco explains that "After an evaluation, the team has decided that Silke should focus on her full recovery".

Last year, the Dutch athlete performed well at the Giro d'Italia Women, nearly reaching the podium in the Orciano di Pesaro stage and finishing fourteenth in the general classification; her palmares also includes a tenth place at Strade Bianche.