Letizia Paternoster’s preparations for the upcoming cycling season have been thrown into disarray following a crash during a training camp in Spain. The 25-year-old Italian rider said on Instagram today that came off her bike during a descent, suffering multiple injuries that required her to cut her training short and head to hospital for medical checks.
The Liv AlUla Jayco rider announced the news herself on Instagram, sharing her disappointment at having to leave the camp prematurely. “I regret to inform you that I’ve had to end my training camp in Spain early after a bad crash on a descent,” she wrote. “I’m now heading back to Italy for medical checks.”
Paternoster expressed her frustration but remained determined to return to competition. “It’s difficult to process, but I know that after rain, the sun comes out again. I’ll take the time to recover, but I’ll come back stronger soon. I’ll provide updates shortly,” she concluded.
Photos shared on Instagram revealed the extent of her injuries, including abrasions, cuts, and scratches on her body, along with a bloodied chin.
This setback comes after what was a standout year for Paternoster in 2024, which included several strong results on the road. She recorded 15 top-ten finishes, including podiums and high placings in prestigious one-day races and stage races. During the spring, she secured third in Dwars door Vlaanderen, fourth in the Ronde van Drenthe, and ninth in the Ronde van Vlaanderen.
Later in the year, she impressed with fourth place in the RideLondon Classique, fifth in the Tour of Britain, and capped off her season by winning the Tour de Gatineau on Canadian soil.
