Ashleigh Moolman Pasio holds onto Olympics and Tour de France Femmes hopes after back injury

It hasn’t been an easy season for Ashleigh Moolman Pasio. No sooner had the AG Insurance-Soudal rider returned to racing after a period of illness that forced her to sit out La Vuelta Femenina than she was caught up in a high-speed crash on stage 1 of the Volta a Catalunya Femenina.

“This year has thrown more than a few curveballs my way,” said Moolman Pasio this week in an Instagram post. “Despite the countless hours and immense effort I’ve invested in unlocking my full potential, the journey hasn’t been smooth. I’ve been diligently working to tackle my weaknesses and bring out my best, especially in endurance and tour riding.”