Ceylin del Carmen Alvarado has avoided a potentially serious finger injury after crashing during Saturday's elite women's race at the Cyclocross European Championships in Zeddam. Although initial concerns suggested she might have fractured a finger, further medical examinations confirmed that the Dutchwoman had sustained a sprain to a ligament in her thumb. She will nevertheless be sidelined for the immediate future and has already been ruled out of Wednesday's Jaarmarktcross in Niel.

Alvarado was among the main contenders for the European title on home soil, having joined Lucinda Brand and Marie Schreiber in the leading group. The trio established themselves at the front of the race, with Schreiber setting a demanding pace and repeatedly putting her rivals under pressure.

The decisive moments came on the final lap. Alvarado crashed while still in contention for the title, leaving Brand and Schreiber to fight for victory. The Dutchwoman eventually crossed the line in third place, 17 seconds behind the leading pair.

Brand was subsequently awarded the European title after the race jury relegated Schreiber for an irregularity in the final sprint.

Alvarado was visibly in pain after the finish and went to hospital following the podium ceremony to have her hand examined. The results have now provided some relief, although her injury will still require a period away from competition.

Custom brace needed before Alvarado can return

“Ceylin sustained a sprain to a ligament in her thumb during her crash at the European Championships,” her Fenix-Premier Tech team announced on Instagram. “Further examinations have shown that there is no ligament tear.”

The team confirmed that Alvarado will wear a custom-made brace, with her return to racing dependent on how the injury develops during rehabilitation.

“She will wear a custom-made brace. When she can return to cyclocross competition will depend on the progress of her recovery. We wish Ceylin a speedy recovery,” the team added.

Her absence from Niel on November 11 is therefore confirmed, while there is currently no specific date for her return. The next weekend also features two important appointments on the Belgian cyclocross calendar: the Superprestige race in Merksplas and the X2O Badkamers Trofee round in Hamme-Zogge.