When Canyon-SRAM announced the signing of a four-year contract with Chloé Dygert in late 2020, the then-23-year-old was recovering from a horrific, career-threatening crash at the ITT World Championships in Imola that left her with an 80-percent lacerated leg. Only now is she finally riding the first stage race with her new team as injuries and illness forced her to take a step back after attempted comebacks.
After a total recovery period of two-and-a-half years, it was hard to predict what to expect from Dygert, now 26 years old, at La Vuelta Femenina. But already in the stage 1 team time trial, she showed that she was back, playing a key role in the runner-up finish for Canyon-SRAM.
In the closing stretch of stage 2, Dygert made a bold bid for the stage victory and red leader’s jersey, accelerating out of the bunch at the 500-metre mark. She was passed by Charlotte Kool (Team DSM) and Marianne Vos (Team Jumbo-Visma) in the final metres and finished third on the stage. She now sits one second behind Vos in GC.
“I’m disappointed for sure. I knew attacking was my best option for a stage win, I just went a tad early. But I am very blessed and grateful to be healthy enough to be competing at the top level again,” Dygert said after the stage.
