Paula Blasi is riding strong, but this time perhaps a bit too hard. The young athlete from UAE Team ADQ, winner of the Vuelta Espana and most recently the Volta a Catalunya, was the victim of a crash while conducting the course reconnaissance for the Spanish time trial championships.

After hitting the ground, Paula was assisted and taken to the hospital, and from there she posted a photo on social media showing her with a thumbs up but with numerous abrasions on her body. Her caption was clear and also witty: "I think this happens when you take a corner at 50 KM/H".

A few hours later, another social media video message to reassure fans: the footage shows Paula back on her bike, and the caption is just as straightforward as the previous one: "After seven hours in the hospital and 4 stitches, I'm able to complete my reconnaissance"