Lidl-Trek have confirmed that Ellen van Dijk sustained a fractured right shoulder in the crash that brought the Ronde van Lekkerkerk to a premature halt on Thursday. The Dutch rider was taken to the hospital after falling heavily just over an hour into the non-UCI criterium. In a statement issued on Friday morning, the team reported that surgery will not be necessary at this stage.
“We can confirm that Ellen was taken to hospital after her fall. Scans have revealed a fracture of the right shoulder, but surgery does not seem necessary at this time,” the team announced. “If there are further updates, we will release them. A possible return date will be shared when it is realistic.”
Van Dijk was racing alongside Lidl-Trek teammate Lucinda Brand at the event, which traditionally takes place on Ascension Day. The crash prompted the race to be abandoned, with no winner declared for the 2025 edition. Fellow rider Deborah Veerman was also involved in the incident but later confirmed she escaped serious injury, despite elbow pain.
Van Dijk had been building form across the spring after returning from maternity leave, and was expected to play a central role in Lidl-Trek’s summer plans. Her two top-10 finishes at the Vuelta a Burgos time trial and GP Féminin de Chambéry earlier this month had marked a strong return to racing.
No timeline has been set for her recovery, but Lidl-Trek have made clear that any further updates will be issued once more is known.
