Lauren Dickson, Demi Vollering's key Giro support rider, breaks her collarbone, while Paula Blasi's bike is stolen

Lauren Dickson (FDJ-Suez) and Paula Blasi (UAE Team ADQ) have been the standout revelations of the season in women’s cycling so far, but on Friday they both faced setbacks. Dickson crashed at the Tour de Suisse, while Blasi’s bike was stolen after the first stage of the Tour of Catalonia.

Dickson made her professional debut this season with FDJ-Suez, after the 26-year-old had previously competed in ultrarunning and triathlon. With the French team, she immediately made her mark at the highest level. In the Giro d'Italia, she was the key climbing support rider for Demi Vollering, after having already finished fourth in the Tour of the Basque Country.

She was also performing well in Switzerland. Dickson finished second in Stage 1 and held that position in the overall standings until she crashed in the final stretch on Friday. The British rider was immediately left behind in severe pain and eventually managed to get back on her bike, but at the hospital, a broken collarbone was diagnosed. So she’ll be sidelined for the foreseeable future.

Dickson has already posted on social media. “It was a good day because we were in the breakaway and competed in the bonus sprints. Unfortunately, I ended up breaking my collarbone in a crash, so this weekend I’ll have to cheer on the girls.” FDJ-Suez adds that they wish Dickson the best possible recovery.

The first stage of the Tour of Catalonia ended in a 1-2 finish for Visma | Lease a Bike, with Nienke Veenhoven and Marianne Vos. After the stage, the bike belonging to Amstel Gold Race and Vuelta winner Blasi—who was also the top favorite in the stage race—was stolen.

"After Stage 1 of the Tour of Catalonia, Paula's Colnago Y1Rs road bike was stolen in Santa Susanna. The bike features the official team colors of UAE Team ADQ and is highly recognizable. "If you have any information, please contact the local authorities," her team said.