Moolman Pasio getting back to her best after solid Amstel Gold outing
South African scores best result of the season with 11th + an update on Natnael Tesfatsion's Amstel crash and more...
Before Sunday, the 2025 season had been a challenging one for Ashleigh Moolman Pasio, but the South African now feels she is returning to her best form after placing 11th at the Amstel Gold Race.
Moolman Pasio managed to make her way into a large, strong group which contested for the win over the Limburg hills, leaving many of the big favourites back in the peloton. SD Worx-Protime’s Mischa Bredewold escaped in the final kilometres to take the biggest win of her career. Moolman Pasio finished the race in the second chase group, but was buoyed by her performance having not felt like herself all season.
The 39-year-old sustained a vertebral fracture last year in a crash at the Volta a Catalunya and the lingering effects of that injury have dampened the first part of this season. She was delighted to be back on top form with Flèche Wallonne on Wednesday a significant target for the African continental champion.
“I was happy to be at the front of the race and back to my normal self,” she said in a team press release after the race. “It was a hectic race, and when that dangerous group formed, I dug deep and bridged across. Then, the penultimate time up the Cauberg I felt good and followed the others, but unfortunately, I lost the race in the downhill, when a couple of riders went away.”
“On the other hand, when you have a big injury like the one I had last year you have some doubts if you can come back, but I was really determined to do it and I am grateful to the team for their support. Today’s result shows the level where I am at the moment and makes me look with confidence to the races of next week.”
Tesfatsion out with double fracture
Several crashes marred both races in the Netherlands on Sunday, with some riders coming off worse than others.
Movistar have confirmed to Global Peloton that Eritrean Natnael Tesfastion suffered a double fracture to his right scapula after a crash at Amstel Gold.
“Natnael will not require surgery, but will need to rest and monitor his medical progress in the coming days,” the team said.
Tesfatsion joined the Spanish WorldTour team from Lidl-Trek over the winter. He’s had a solid start to the season with top-10s at the Surf Coast Classic and stage seven of Tirreno Adriatico.
The injury will likely rule the Eritrean national champion out of action for several weeks.
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