Annemiek van Vleuten breaks shoulder and pelvis in two places in Paris-Roubaix crash
The Dutchwoman regrets continuing after first crash in order to experience the race before second one brings multiple fractures
- (opens in new tab)
- (opens in new tab)
- (opens in new tab)
- Sign up to our newsletter Newsletter

Annemiek van Vleuten has broken her pelvis in two places in a crash during the inaugural women's Paris-Roubaix.
"Not a happy 2021 end for me," Van Vleuten said after the race, forced to abandon before live television pictures had even begun. "Stupid crash. Just wanted to get to the finish safe...result is broken pubic bone in two places and a long recovery staying in bed coming up. Bye bye holiday. Bye bye recharging. I have done this often but energy is running out."
Downbeat in tone, the Dutchwoman's season is now over, meaning she can't participate in the last two WorldTour events on the calendar, the Women's Tour and the Ronde van Drenthe, and so will just have to hope Elisa Longo Borghini won't usurp her lead of 668 points in the Women's WorldTour rankings.
“I was in good spirits at the [start]...I thought it was exciting,” Van Vleuten recalls of her emotions before the start. “I had also doubted for a long time whether I would start and had also decided that I did not want to do it in April, but now in October I thought I could take the risk.”
>>> 'That was really not the plan,' says Lizzie Deignan after stunning Paris-Roubaix victory
Van Vleuten was brought down in two crashes, the first seeing her out of contention for the victory, but was still determined to get to the finish before a second crash caused her multiple fractures.
“For the first stretch I was behind a crash. I actually fell over that. It was Kasia Niewiadoma who fell there where it was a big fight to sit up front on the first section," the 38-year-old explained. "I could continue, but by then my race was already over. Then I thought; I'll ride well and took girls with me in my wheel. I wanted to ride to experience it once. They say 'choose your battles' and I already knew that this was not my battle.
“Just before the Carrefour de l'Arbre, with 15 kilometers to go, I was behind two girls from Parkhotel Valkenburg. They slipped. As a result, I also had to brake and I fell, a fall in which I broke my pelvis in two places and also broke my shoulder. So at that time I was just riding to get to the finish, but now I'm really disappointed that I didn't just get off, because I have to pay a high price for this."
Van Vleuten was taken to Rijnstate Hospital, fearing she would be confined to bed to let her broken pelvis recover. Fortunately, she has not only been told she won't require surgery, but will also not have to be bed-bound, instead allowed to move around on crutches as long as it doesn't cause too much pain - although her broken shoulder will make that tricky.
"For now I have to process this bitter pill, that I have to end my season like this. It's been a great season, which I would have liked to enjoy after, but now I'm down again. Instead of charging myself, you enter a recovery period again," Van Vleuten said.
"Of course, everyone says that you will come out stronger there, but I think that is really nonsense. I really wanted to give myself a nice holiday and I really don't need this to come out stronger. And of course, I will go for it, but I do notice that the energy does run out if you have to come back after injuries and you have to devote your off-season to recovering and change all plans."
Thank you for reading 10 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
Hi. I'm Cycling Weekly's Weekend Editor. I like writing offbeat features and eating too much bread when working out on the road at bike races.
Before joining Cycling Weekly I worked at The Tab and I've also written for Vice, Time Out, and worked freelance for The Telegraph (I know, but I needed the money at the time so let me live).
I also worked for ITV Cycling between 2011-2018 on their Tour de France and Vuelta a España coverage. Sometimes I'd be helping the producers make the programme and other times I'd be getting the lunches. Just in case you were wondering - Phil Liggett and Paul Sherwen had the same ham sandwich every day, it was great.
-
-
Remco Evenepoel sends verbal warning to his 'idol' Primož Roglič after quadruple Volta a Catalunya showdown
It's 2-1 to Roglič after a neck-and-neck fight at the Volta a Catalunya, but Evenepoel isn't short of confidence
By Chris Marshall-Bell • Published
-
How E3 showed us what Van Aert, Van der Poel and Pogačar need to do to win the Tour of Flanders
Wout van Aert might have won on Friday, but everything could change next Sunday
By Adam Becket • Published
-
Adrie van der Poel reveals banter exchanged with Mathieu before CX World Championships
Van der Poel senior says that his sons cyclo-cross season has been ‘perfect’ preparation for a strong start to the cobbled classics
By Tom Thewlis • Published
-
In celebration of Peter Sagan, cycling's rock and roll frontman
As the three-time world champion is set to call time on his career in the WorldTour at the end of 2023, we thought we would take a look back at the glory days
By Tom Thewlis • Published
-
No win for Jonas Vingegaard? Cycling Weekly's bold predictions for the 2023 season
With under a fortnight until the WorldTour kicks off this year, it is time to take a look into our crystal ball
By Adam Becket • Published
-
From the World Championships to Paris-Roubaix: Cycling Weekly's wins of 2022
It is hard to look past Annemiek van Vleuten, but we tried, so here is the best win of the year, plus nine more
By Adam Becket • Published
-
'I just come out at every race swinging': Simon Clarke achieves childhood dream with Tour de France stage win after winter of contract fears
Australian was without a team coming into the season
By Tom Thewlis • Published
-
‘Those climber guys can ride over the cobbles these days’ - Fabian Cancellara predicts a fast paced opening week at the Tour de France
Cancellara has won the opening stage of the Tour de France five times and knows the importance of a strong opening week
By Tom Thewlis • Published
-
Creating an icon - Behind the scenes at Paris-Roubaix Femmes
Only in its second year, the Paris-Roubaix Femmes is not just a gruelling day for the riders, but a logistical and organisational challenge for those behind the scenes - Amy Sedghi speaks to the people helping to create an icon
By Amy Sedghi • Published
-
From the cobbles to the race track: Tom Boonen is living his best life
Classic legend Tom Boonen on race car driving, Mathieu van der Poel and modern cycling
By Anne-Marije Rook • Published