"I hope to come back stronger": Laurenz Rex sidelined with back fractures after high-speed AlUla crash

Soudal - Quick-Step’s spring classics campaign has suffered a significant setback before it has even properly begun. Laurenz Rex, a key figure in the team's planned roster for the cobbles, has been ruled out of the upcoming Opening Weekend after sustaining multiple back fractures during the AlUla Tour.

The Belgian team confirmed that the 26-year-old suffered fractures to three spinous processes (the bony projections off the back of each vertebra) following a crash on stage 3, won by Yannis Voisard. The incident occurred on Thursday during a high-speed descent where the peloton was reaching speeds of approximately 100 km/h.

Rex was scheduled to play a prominent role in the Wolfpack’s renewed classics core, starting with Omloop Het Nieuwsblad. His original programme included a heavy slate of major races: Le Samyn, Milan-San Remo, Brugge-De Panne, Gent-Wevelgem, Dwars door Vlaanderen, the Tour of Flanders, and Paris-Roubaix.

While a definitive timeline for his return has not been set, his participation in the imminent spring classics is now highly unlikely.

"Laurenz is in a stable condition but will require several weeks of rest before beginning his rehabilitation," the team said in a statement. "Everyone at Soudal Quick-Step and the wider Wolfpack family wishes Laurenz a speedy recovery."

Speaking from the hospital, Rex expressed gratitude for the medical attention he received immediately after the frightening crash.

“I would like to thank the team’s doctor, the race’s medical staff and everyone at the hospital for looking after me, as well as everybody that has sent me good wishes and messages – it has been very special. I will now take some time to recover and hope to come back stronger later in the season.”

Soudal Quick-Step also said that further updates on Rex's condition will be provided following additional medical checks later this week.