It has not been an easy season for Ashley Moolman Pacio. As soon as she returned to racing after an illness that forced her to miss La Vuelta Femenina, she was involved in a high-speed crash on the first stage of the Volta a Catalunya Femenina. [This week, Mourman Pacio posted on Instagram. 'Despite countless hours and enormous effort to reach my full potential, the road has not been smooth. I have worked diligently to address my weaknesses and bring out the best in myself, especially in endurance and tour riding"

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Nevertheless, her opportunities to test the fruits of her labor were limited, and her crash at Volta a Catalunya, which occurred on her eighth day of UCI road racing, left the 38-year-old with a back injury.

"It was a tough pill to swallow, but after consulting with team doctors and specialists, I am optimistic and confident about my recovery," said Mourman Pacio. 'Luckily my leg is unaffected and I will be able to get back to training on the indoor trainer soon.'

In other words, two of this season's three Grand Tours, La Vuelta Femenina and the Giro d'Italia women's in July, are out of reach for the young AG Insurance Soudal team's experienced rider, who has postponed her retirement until 2022. means it is out of reach.

Still, the South African rider, who will win her first UCI Cycling Esports World Championship title in 2020 and knows how to make the most of her indoor trainer, is looking ahead with a hopeful expression.

"I am really optimistic that I will be back racing in August. Of course, recovery is a priority and we need to take care of him, but it is also good to have a firm goal," Moolman-Pasio said in a team statement. 'It gives us motivation and positive energy.'

Moolman Pacio, who started with the Lotto Ladies team in 2010, will make her fourth Olympic appearance in the women's road race on August 4, if she can return in August. Then there is the Tour de France Femme on August 12-18, where she finished sixth overall last year. But despite this schedule, he cannot rush his recovery.

"The best prescription right now is 'patience,'" said Mourman Pacio. "That seems to be my theme for the year, and I fully intend to embrace it. Keep working hard, dream big, and believe in yourself. When the time is right, I'll be stronger than ever and ready to go on the road again."