The story of 23-year-old Paula Blasi, recent winner of Amstel Gold Race, is truly remarkable. Just 26 months ago, she wasn’t even a cyclist. The young Catalan began her career in middle-distance running, where she was considered one of Spain’s brightest talents, as shown by her U18 national 800m title in 2020, year in which she clocked 2'11"53. She then moved to duathlon (combination of running and cycling) and triathlon, claiming regional titles. At the start of 2024, however, she suffered an injury while preparing for the Duathlon NCs, and cycling became her only training option during recovery.
She joined Massi-Baix, a local club team, and immediately fell in love with the sport. On her debut, in a local race in March 2024, she finished 2nd. Her progression was incredibly rapid: that year she took five wins, including regional road and ITT titles, as well as Volta a Osona GC. By the end of the season, she had also showed herself internationally, finishing 4th at the Tour de l’Avenir, behind Bunel, Holmgren and Vadillo, and 9th at the U23 World Championships in Zurich.
These performances caught the attention of UAE, who signed her for their Development Team. She made an immediate impression, winning two UCI 1.1 races, earning a mid-season promotion. Her end to the season was sensational: her first WWT victory came in the prologue of the Tour de Romandie, where she finished 4th overall. She went on to claim a bronze medal at the U23 World Championships won by Gery, and secured a solo victory at the U23 European Champs on the demanding French course. Her 2026 campaign also started strongly, with a 3rd place in the Tour Down Under GC, followed by the biggest win of her career so far, her solo triumph in Berg en Terblijt.
Her story recalls that of her teammate and compatriot Mavi Garcia, a reference point in Spanish cycling in recent years and a former top-level duathlete, but also bears similarities to Primož Roglič, who turned to cycling after a serious injury ended his ski jumping career. And after a start like this, Spanish cycling can dream big!