“It’s a tough one. Two crashes in two days” – Standout week ends in disappointment for INEOS prodigy Andrew August in Valencia

Andrew August’s breakthrough week at the Volta a Comunitat Valenciana ended in frustration rather than celebration, as a late crash in the decisive breakaway group brought his final stage hopes to an abrupt halt in Valencia.

August had been part of the large, aggressive move that shaped the closing kilometres of the shortened final stage, with the break holding a meaningful advantage deep into the finale. Even as the gap began to shrink under pressure from the peloton, the American remained committed to the move.

“It’s a bit of a pity,” August said after the finish to Cycling Pro Net. “We knew the gap was coming down, and I was just trying to keep the pace high, but I overcooked the corner. So yeah, it’s a tough one. Two crashes in two days. But that’s cycling.”

The fall removed August from contention and further destabilised a breakaway that was already under strain, with the peloton closing rapidly behind.

Despite the growing pressure, August said the group had continued to believe in its chances, particularly with teammate Kim Heiduk still present as a fast finisher. “There was still a breakaway with a little gap, but enough to believe in it,” he said. “I was still believing a lot, especially with Kim. We know he’s super fast, so we were fully believing in him. But yeah, I guess it just wasn’t meant to be.”

That hope evaporated when Heiduk also crashed in the final kilometres, leaving the move fatally weakened. “Just bad luck, to be honest,” August said. “I really felt for him, because these opportunities don’t come often, and today was a good one. But yeah, it is what it is.”

The disappointment of the finale stood in sharp contrast to the rest of August’s race, which included a landmark stage victory earlier in the week and marked a significant step forward in his early professional career.

Asked to reflect on the broader picture, August was clear that the week still carried positives. “I think it was a big step for me this week,” he said. “So overall, a lot of ups and downs, but I have to go home happy.”

While the final stage ended on the asphalt rather than the podium, August leaves Valencia with his first stage win at this level and a growing sense of belief, even if the closing chapter of the race did not unfold as hoped.