Kim Le Court, riding for AG Insurance–Soudal, has announced her decision to end her season early and miss the upcoming UCI Road World Championships due to an injury sustained at Gent-Wevelgem earlier this year. Le Court, who has had a rollercoaster of a season, has struggled with a torn scapholunate ligament in her wrist since March, which worsened during the Spring Classics.
“In March, I had a minor crash at Gent-Wevelgem, which didn’t seem serious until I raced Flanders the following weekend. That’s when I realised something was wrong. It worsened during Roubaix, and by the time I raced the Amstel Gold Race, the pain in my wrist was unbearable,” Le Court explained.
Despite the injury, Le Court showed incredible grit, continuing to race through the pain. She notably finished 13th at Gent-Wevelgem, 23rd at the Tour of Flanders, and 10th at Paris-Roubaix. However, by the time the Amstel Gold Race arrived, the pain had become too much, and she was unable to finish.
Scans later revealed the full extent of her injury, but Le Court still managed to pull off a series of strong results, including double wins at the Mauritius National Championships and, remarkably, a stage victory at the Giro d’Italia. Reflecting on her first professional win, she admitted, “Somehow, I managed to push through the pain and won my first professional race at the Giro. But after the Tour de France, we decided to end my season to properly address the injury.”
Her medical team advised her to prioritise her long-term health, which led to the decision to forgo the World Championships. “This week, I will be seeing doctors in South Africa to determine the best treatment for my wrist,” she confirmed, adding that missing out on Zurich was particularly difficult. “Competing in the Road World Championships was a major goal for me this year—the course suited my strengths perfectly, and after the season I’ve had, I was incredibly motivated.”
Le Court was also hoping to put behind her the disappointment of the Olympic Games in Paris earlier this summer, where she represented Mauritius but didn’t achieve the results she had hoped for. She emphasised how crucial the Championships were to her personally and to her country: “After the disappointment at the Olympics, it was crucial for me to prove myself, not just for me, but for my country. This was a big moment.”
Though frustrated by the injury, Le Court remains optimistic and offers some advice for others in similar situations. “Look back at what you’ve achieved and how far you’ve come, and keep your eyes on the next goal,” she said. “That’s the fastest way to move forward. I also believe there’s always light at the end of the tunnel. Things happen for a reason, and even if we don’t understand it right now, it will all make sense in time.”
Le Court will now set her sights on the 2025 season, aiming for a stronger return after her recovery.
