Itzulia Basque Country: Primoz Roglic survives in yellow after tough crash; Quinten Hermans wins uphill sprint on stage 3

Tell that to Geraint Thomas and Magnus Sheffield.

When I make an observation, I’m usually curious enough to think about it verifying its validity and sometimes even doing some research.

Now I neither agree nor disagree with you, there may or may not be something to it but I don’t know of one major rider who doesn’t crash once in a while.

Here is a very good article (with many, many explanations) about falling, I will only add my own cents, more than 2:

« Big bang theory: Crashes in the pro peloton »

Firstly though, it seems to me this year is particularly crash heavy and we’ve not even had a GT where they have become commonplace for leaders especially in the early stages.

Older riders may lose some carefreeness over time and ride more nervously, ditto leaders and favourites

Dutch riders seem disproportionately prone to crashing, is it their higher centre of gravity? I think Gesink takes the crown of crash champion and Contador is my best example of becoming crash prone with ageing.

Statistically, the crash numbers are not high enough for every rider to crash a similar number of times, simple laws mean some will have to fall more often before the numbers level out just like people have won the lottery 2 even 3 times whilst many will never. Of course, crashes have reasons and causes so no single crash can ever be down to one factor or even one person or chance.

Races have become more competitive and nervous, leaders less insulated by team, attacks are earlier and more dangerous, riders more prone to soloing mean the peleton is no longer so relaxed.

Considering the number of crashes attributable to Roglic and MvdP, their palmares is even more impressive.

Good to see Roglic still has that mental strength to ride through suffering.