Bad luck piles up for Chloé Dygert, who faces two surgeries after major medical update

Chloé Dygert issued a new injury update on Friday, and it was not exactly the news the American had hoped to share. The 29-year-old Canyon//SRAM rider has so far managed only five race days this season, failing to finish three of them, but there are now more than enough explanations for that difficult run. Dygert has laid out the full picture herself.

The two-time world time trial champion has already had to deal with plenty of setbacks throughout her career, but 2026 can now safely be added to that list. Her season started in Australia, where the problems began almost immediately. Dygert did not reach the finish at the Tour Down Under, and she was also listed as a DNF in the one-day race that followed from the same organisation.

She then decided to take a step back, with the spring Classics still in mind. After a respectable ride at the Tour of Flanders, where she finished 39th, Dygert was caught up in the major crash at Paris-Roubaix Femmes. That brought her spring to an abrupt end — in an ambulance.

The weeks after that Roubaix crash did not bring the smooth recovery Dygert had hoped for. “All of the physical injuries and setbacks are starting to catch up with me,” she said a little over a month ago. “Recent blood work showed severe hormone deficiencies, along with elevated cortisol levels — explaining the fatigue and many other health issues I have been experiencing.”

On Friday, Dygert posted a comprehensive update on social media. “Well, that comeback lasted about two races,” she began. “After months of rehab, it became clear that something still wasn’t right. Since trying to return to training, I’ve officially been diagnosed with RED-S, contracted a virus, and my blood values have continued trending in the wrong direction.”

And that was not the end of the update. “An MRI also confirmed that the shoulder damage from my crash in Roubaix requires surgery, as rehab was not successful. Further scans revealed a collapsed nasal valve, which will also require surgery,” Dygert continued.

“Not exactly the news I was hoping for, but for now I’m focused again on recovery and getting healthy. My goals haven’t changed, only the road to get there. I’ll be back,” Dygert concluded.

Author: David Bavin-Hobbs - [email protected]