That assessment marks a shift from a week earlier, when Roodhooft suggested progress was moving in the right direction as Alvarado completed her first off-road training sessions. The Dutch rider had steadily increased load in recent weeks, but discomfort has persisted and the team will not rush her back.
Delayed start for one of last winter’s standout performers
The setback comes after two of the strongest winters of Alvarado’s senior career.
After winning the overall World Cup in 2023/24, she backed that campaign up with another consistent and high-quality run in 2024/25. Her results included World Cup victories in Namur and Zonhoven, silver at the European Championships, a string of Superprestige wins and podiums, and seventh at the World Championships.
Those performances cemented her place alongside Fem van Empel and Puck Pieterse at the front of the sport, leaving expectation that she would once again be a major factor from the opening rounds this season.
Instead, her winter begins on the sidelines — and with no timeline yet in place.
Alvarado was world champion back in 2020
No shortcuts as season gathers pace
With the women’s field already at full tilt — Van Empel as always proving to be a benchmark and Lucinda Brand in winning form — Alvarado’s delayed start keeps another headline contender out of the front of the race.
Her strength across varied courses last winter — excelling on heavy, technical laps as well as faster circuits — suggested she was well-placed to build on consecutive strong seasons. But for now, ongoing knee irritation has made caution unavoidable.
The team remains optimistic about her long-term outlook, yet the absence of a clear target reflects a priority on full resolution over urgency. When she does return, Alvarado will face a field already deep into its rhythm — but her performances over the past two seasons show she has the level to re-establish herself quickly once fully fit.