Barbara Malcotti has confirmed she has fractured her pelvis in two places after a training crash, bringing her winter preparation to an abrupt stop and ruling her out of the opening part of the 2026 campaign. The Human Powered Health climber shared the news on Instagram, explaining that the setback arrived just when she believed she was ready to build on the strongest season of her career.
“I thought this year would have been a good one for me, but maybe I had to wait until the end of it,” she wrote. “I crashed during training and I’ve broken my pelvis in 2 points. This is not, for sure, the way I wanted to begin my winter preparation for the 2026 season but this just a setback and I’m already on the way to get healthy ASAP. In the main while I will enjoy my granny life playing cards, doing some crossword with my caregiver.”
The injury, which typically requires a careful and lengthy rehabilitation period, means Malcotti will miss the early season and will need time before returning to full training load.
A breakthrough 2025 momentum cut short
The timing couldn’t be worse. Malcotti had just completed her most assured season to date, establishing herself as one of Human Powered Health’s most dependable climbers.
Her 2025 highlights included:
- 8th in the final classification at the Giro d’Italia Women, her best GC finish at a Grand Tour
- Top 15 overall at the Tour de France Femmes, reinforcing her progress at the highest level
- Consistent top tens on key mountain stages across the season
- A central support role in Ruth Edwards’ podium ride in Chambéry
This steady accumulation of results put her on track for an expanded leadership role in 2026, particularly in the climbing-heavy stage races where she had looked increasingly at home.
A rider defined by progression
Malcotti has built her career on patient, structured development. After early flashes of talent at Valcar, she stepped into Human Powered Health in 2023 and has since grown into a rider capable of shaping GC battles deep into the mountains.
Key career markers include:
- Strong rides at the Tour de Suisse and Tour de Romandie
- Multiple Grand Tour top 20 GC finishes
- A consistent presence in the front groups on selective terrain
Though still searching for a first professional victory, her upward trajectory over the past two seasons has been unmistakable.
Eyes forward, despite a difficult winter
Her Instagram message made clear she is maintaining perspective, even if the injury arrived at exactly the wrong moment for her winter build. The humour she added about “granny life” and crosswords signals she remains in optimistic spirits.
Human Powered Health have not released a formal injury update, but Malcotti is expected to resume a key climbing role once fit. For now, the focus is on healing well, with the intention of returning later in 2026 to continue the momentum she had worked so hard to generate.
