Picnic PostNL rider fractures skull after crashing into a child on a city bike: 'Universe keeps dealing me blows'
Cycling
Follow IDL Pro Cycling on Google
Stay up to date with the best cycling news by making us a preferred source on Google.
Follow us on GoogleMara Roldan suffered a serious head injury after colliding with a child on a city bike during a training session. The 22-year-old Canadian, who has been on the Picnic PostNL team since last year, posted a somber message on Instagram on Thursday morning.
ADVERTISEMENT
Since joining the Dutch team, Roldan has proven herself to be a great talent. Last year, she finished tenth in the Amstel Gold Race and won a stage in the Tour of Britain Women. However, she also broke her thigh bone during that race, which meant she didn’t return to competition until February 2026.
Just as Roldan was starting to feel a little better again in the Giro d'Italia Women, she took a hard fall during the third stage. “I was catching up after a flat tire and crashed into the back of a caravan at 60 kilometers per hour,” she said. She was in too much pain to continue the next day.
Continue reading below the photo
Roldan suffers serious injury after a crash during practice
As if those two crashes weren't enough, another setback occurred during a practice session. Roldan writes in his reports: "Sometimes it feels like the universe keeps dealing me blows," referring to a hard crash.
"Last week, I was involved in a head-on collision on the bike path. A child riding a city bike was going the wrong way and apparently lost control. I was knocked to the ground and suffered a skull fracture."
Picnic PostNL will be without Roldan for another long period
"I don't know what to say; this season feels like a series of heartbreaks and setbacks. For over a year now, I've been constantly prevented from doing what I love most. To be honest, that hurts more than the physical injuries," said Roldan.
In a few harrowing photos, we see Canades wearing a neck brace and on crutches, knowing that she is facing another long rehabilitation. “I don’t know yet what the recovery will look like or what this means for the rest of my season. For now, I’m taking it week by week.”
Picnic PostNL and her family are providing much-needed support, both physically and mentally. “My parents are with me, and I’m surrounded by a fantastic team and medical staff. I’ve been staying away from screens because of my concussion symptoms, but all the messages mean a lot to me.”
David Bavin-HobbsChief Editor
David has been working in the sports & cycling industry for 16 years. Covering racing, business and technology, he has worked in communications for cycling companies, teams, and as a journalist. His proudest achievement is winning the first bike race he ever entered. He hasn't won a race since.
IDL-productions
Onley, Dickson, Thornley and now Mason; Scotland is punching way above its cycling weight
Cyclocross legend Lars van der Haar had a tough time after retiring from cyclocross: 'It was over pretty quickly'
Celia Gery won the European cyclocross championship while awaiting surgery: 'It'll be a new beginning'
Dutch team coach De Knegt annoyed by European Cyclocross Championships dispute: "A bit of a let down"
Glasgow set to shine as World Cup demand outstrips expectations and Mason eyes first home cyclocross race
Latest Cycling News
Michael Vanthourenhout's severe crash overshadows thrilling men's cyclocross race in merksplas
Thibau Nys offers glimpse into unbelievable cyclocross comeback: 'That uncertainty, that struggle with self-confidence'
Complications surround Wout van Aert's World Cyclocross Championship start
Thibau Nys and Lucinda Brand's team lose title sponsor in the middle of the cyclocross season
Onley, Dickson, Thornley and now Mason; Scotland is punching way above its cycling weight
Popular Cycling News
Thibau Nys and Lucinda Brand's team lose title sponsor in the middle of the cyclocross season
Michael Vanthourenhout's severe crash overshadows thrilling men's cyclocross race in merksplas
Extensive evidence of use of N-word, homophobia, and Asian-hate by track cyclist Matthew Richardson revealed
Complications surround Wout van Aert's World Cyclocross Championship start
Thibau Nys offers glimpse into unbelievable cyclocross comeback: 'That uncertainty, that struggle with self-confidence'
Latest Comments
- - I’m still learning how cyclocross works: when he says he messed up the start at the Europeans, can a bad start really make that much difference?patriciaw14-11-2026
- - Love that he’s honest about the pressure. Hopefully he can carry this form through the winter.lindae14-11-2026
- - Beating different competition is the key now. Nys is already in the mix, and Van der Poel could make the next step a much tougher one.jennifer1914-11-2026
- - About time—Mason’s been knocking on the door for years. That Niel win could really open things up for him.cadencekingm14-11-2026
- I’m still learning how cyclocross works—does leading the Superprestige mean Mason is top of that race series, rather than the World Cup? Either way, winning in Belgium sounds like a massive result.cadencekingm13-11-2026
- Calling Onley a contender for an overall Tour win already feels a bit premature, especially after the injury setbacks. Still, the depth of talent is exciting.robert6513-11-2026
- Great to see Dickson’s route from triathlon to the WorldTour getting recognition. Scottish cycling has plenty to be proud of, and the 2027 Grand Départ could give the next generation a real lift.patriciaw13-11-2026
- The article makes a good case for clubs and small teams doing the groundwork, rather than one big development pipeline. Thornley’s Vuelta time trials were seriously impressive too; missing a stage win by two seconds is brutal.davidm13-11-2026
- Mason winning in Niel is huge—beating that kind of Belgian field in the mud takes serious class. The Kelvingrove World Cup could be an unforgettable homecoming.breakawaybikerd13-11-2026
- I’m not sure how WorldTour licences work—could these reports affect whether the team gets one next year, or is that decision based on other criteria?velodromevirtuoso113-11-2026