Saturday, September 26, 2026, is a day Caroline Andersson would rather forget - or erase altogether.
The professional cyclist has already forgotten much of the day.
I remember the first big lap, then I have no memory at all until five days later, when I woke up in a hospital bed, she says.
The 25-year-old was riding in the tightly packed peloton in the 180-kilometer road race at the World Championships in Montreal when, just under halfway through the race, a terrible mass crash involving many cyclists occurred.
“The worst accident”
Traveling at just over 60 kilometers per hour, she hit the ground, lost consciousness and was taken by ambulance to hospital with several serious injuries.
The doctors' diagnosis included a broken pelvis and collarbone, two facial fractures and four brain hemorrhages.
It is by far the worst accident I have ever experienced in my sport. Over the years I have crashed many times, suffering concussions and breaking my elbows and wrists - but I have never had brain hemorrhages this scary.
Of course, it makes me think about what I'm really doing and what I'm exposing my body to.
Lives in Andorra
Caroline Andersson has been a professional cyclist since 2021 and lives in an apartment in Andorra, but after ten days in hospital in Montreal, she traveled to her parents' home in Halmstad.
At first, it was almost all about resting. I slept between 16 and 18 hours a day. A so-called DAI hemorrhage means that the brain's nerve fibers are stretched, so the brain has to learn to use new nerve pathways. Common symptoms include loss of consciousness at the time of the accident and prolonged brain fatigue.
In recent years, she has established herself among the world's top cyclists, including finishing 14th in her Olympic debut in 2024, 11th in the road race at the 2025 World Championships and fourth overall at the British Tour this year.
“Love my sport”
When I was asked before this terrible crash what my goals were, I answered medals at the Olympics, World Championships and European Championships, as well as as many top finishes on the World Tour as possible. But now I have to fight first and foremost to get back to competing.
Caroline Andersson hopes to do so as early as 2027, but recovery will definitely take time.
Today I feel relatively well, although I am still in a lot of pain and tired. I can manage most of my everyday life, but the doctors are neither able nor willing to answer whether I will fully recover and whether I can continue competing at the highest level.
Despite the devastating accident, she has not been deterred from continuing her career.
I love my sport so much that I am prepared to take the risks that come with it - and you can't ride around being afraid. Besides, cycling is my full-time profession, and I recently signed a new three-year contract with the Belgian team AG Insurance.
Born: July 29, 2001, in Halmstad.
Family: Mother Birgitta, father Michael and older brother Andreas. Her father, known as “Roddarn”, was also a professional cyclist. He won a World Championship silver medal in the time trial and competed in three Olympics.
Lives: In an apartment in Andorra.
Racing team: Recently signed a three-year contract with the Belgian WorldTour team AG Insurance - Soudal Team.
Main achievements: 14th in the road race at the 2024 Paris Olympics, 11th in the road race at the 2025 World Championships, fourth overall at the British Tour in 2026 (with a best stage finish of third), and second at the 2025 Guangxi Tour, one of the largest international stage races.