Annemarie Worst, the cyclocross rider from Cyclocross Reds, faces an unfortunate pause in her season following a challenging incident at the World Cup in Zonhoven. Initially, she had a promising start, but her race took a dramatic turn in the second lap. A significant crash resulted in her withdrawal from the event. Medical examinations later identified two fractures in her hand, necessitating surgery.
Reflecting on her race day on Instagram, Worst shared, “My day started very well, as I had been feeling in recent races. My condition was truly getting better, and each race I felt stronger.” Her initial performance was solid; she completed the first lap in second place, trailing leader Zoe Bäckstedt by just five seconds.
Misfortune struck shortly thereafter. Worst suffered a severe fall in the infamous Kuil of Zonhoven, which left her struggling with hand and arm pain, ultimately preventing her from gripping the handlebars effectively. Despite attempting to continue, she was forced to exit the race at the pit area.
With the determined statement, “But I will be back,” Worst remains resolute in her return to competition. The timeline for her recovery is uncertain, leaving fans questioning whether she will make a return to cyclocross this winter. Worst’s resilience in the face of adversity has been a hallmark of her career, and her supporters will be keenly awaiting updates on her condition.
