Concern for Cian Uijtdebroeks: Movistar’s new GC hope treated in ambulance after Volta a Comunitat Valenciana crash

There were worrying scenes involving Cian Uijtdebroeks during Stage 3 of the Volta a Comunitat Valenciana, after the Movistar rider went down in a crash around 50 kilometres from the finish.

The incident itself was not shown live, with reports of the fall only emerging later in the stage. Uijtdebroeks was able to remount and complete the stage, but concern grew immediately after the finish when he dismounted and walked straight into an ambulance.

Uijtdebroeks was seen receiving medical attention at the finish area, before reappearing a short time later with his left wrist and forearm heavily bandaged. Speaking briefly at the scene, he said, “I feel something in my hand,” a remark reported by Sporza.

The sight of the 22-year-old heading directly for medical treatment underlined the seriousness of the situation, despite the fact that he had managed to ride to the line. Movistar have not yet released any formal update on the extent of the injury.

The crash came on a demanding day of racing that proved decisive for both the stage and the general classification. Stage 3 featured the Puerto de Tibi as its key obstacle, with a sustained climb followed by a fast and technical run towards the finish that encouraged aggressive racing.

Several teams pushed the pace hard on the climb, stretching the peloton and increasing the level of stress in the bunch. The race remained unsettled after the summit, with repeated attacks on the plateau and descent eventually allowing a small group to go clear and narrowly hold off the chasing peloton.

For riders caught behind, positioning and concentration were at a premium throughout the afternoon. The combination of climbing, descending and a high-speed finale created conditions where crashes were always a risk, particularly as teams fought to control the race and set up their leaders.

At this stage, the severity of Uijtdebroeks’ injury remains unclear. He has since been sent for scans and further examinations, with more information expected once those results are known.

The timing of the incident is particularly unfortunate for Movistar. Uijtdebroeks arrived at the Volta a Comunitat Valenciana as one of the team’s key general classification riders and had been an active presence in the race before the crash.

For now, the focus is firmly on his condition rather than the broader race outcome. Until medical assessments are completed and Movistar provides an update, his ability to continue the Volta a Comunitat Valenciana remains in doubt.