Elynor Backstedt – Wales’ most promising young cyclist – has suffered a huge setback after breaking her leg in a training accident on Sunday.
The world championship junior bronze medallist, who has been in her debut World Tour season, suffered a spiral fracture of the tibia – her shinbone – in a crash.
The injury is likely to require surgery, although her team – Trek-Segafredo – have not yet confirmed when that will take place.
The 18-year-old form Pontyclun is regarded as one of the world’s best young cyclists and the whole of Welsh sport will be hoping she makes a full recovery.
Backstedt joined Trek-Segafredo in the winter after picking up bronze in the individual time trial at the UCI Road World Championships in Yorkshire, but had competed in only two races for her new team in early March before the lockdown began.
She relocated to Belgium earlier this year but had been back home in south Wales in recent days, and earlier this week posted a picture of herself heading out on a ride with her father Magnus, winner of Paris-Roubaix in 2004, and younger sister Zoe.
We are sad to report that @EBackstedt6 crashed earlier today and suffered a spiral fracture of the tibia. Elynor is expected to undergo surgery tonight. We will update with more information when possible.
We’re all hoping for her quick recovery. pic.twitter.com/s5OeYtwqZ3
— Trek-Segafredo (@TrekSegafredo) May 24, 2020
Trek-Segafredo said in a tweet: “We are sad to report that @EBackstedt6 crashed earlier today and suffered a spiral fracture of the tibia.
“Elynor is expected to undergo surgery tonight. We will update with more information when possible. We’re all hoping for her quick recovery.”
The team later indicated surgery would not take place on Sunday night. No further details of the incident, which occurred in the UK, have been made available.
The former Storey Racing cyclist is the eldest daughter of Tour De France stage winner Magnus Backstedt and her mother, Megan, is a former British Road Race Champion and Welsh Commonwealth Games cyclist.
One of her biggest results to date was winning the junior women’s edition of Ghent-Wevelgem, beating Megan Jastrab, who won the junior women’s road race at the Yorkshire Worlds.