"Jonas said that he was in pain, but wanted to try" - Visma DS on the decision process behind Vingegaard's withdrawal from Paris-Nice

Jonas Vingegaard has crashed at Paris-Nice and although it didn't seem like he sustained serious injuries, it was enough for him and the team to decide that he should pull out of the race. Although Team Visma | Lease a Bike continues to be in pole position to win the overall classification, the Dane's health condition is always going to be on the back of their mind now.

"Jonas Vingegaard is doing okay, but not well enough to be at the start today. He is still having a lot of trouble with his hand and he didn't feel well last night and this morning," Niermann Wielerevue. "We simply won't take any risks."

Vingegaard crashed with over 80 kilometers to go during a climb, at low speed, but hit his face on the ground. However the main problem was later revealed to be his hand which has taken a meaningful hit and made it almost impossible for him to use one of the brakes.

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This led to him having serious problems fighting for positioning during the day, and ultimately cost him significant time on the final steep ascent to the line. He was clearly in distress after the finish, and this morning it was decided that he would abandon the race as a precaution.

"He was at the doctor's car for ten to fifteen minutes. He apparently thought it was completely fine. He himself indicated that he was in pain and wanted to fight for it. We didn't see it, but we heard that he had fallen from a standstill. In that case, it's not immediately all hands on deck to get him out of the race."

"The rider must indicate how he feels. Jonas said that he was in pain, but wanted to try," the DS describes. Now his focus will be on recovering, and the Volta a Catalunya soon will provide him with the opportunity to really show his form. "I hope it's not a matter of weeks. We hope he recovers quickly. In principle, his next race is the Volta a Catalunya. We have to see if that is feasible,"

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