After so much talk of rider safety recently in cycling, stage 4 of the 2024 Itzulia Basque Country was another stark reminder about the dangers of the sport we all love. On a pacey descent, numerous big-name riders crashed hard into a concrete ditch.
The Dane left the race on a stretcher, heading into the back of an ambulance with an oxygen mask. Thankfully though, Team Visma | Lease a Bike DS, Frans Maassen has confirmed to Eurosport that Vingegaard is conscious was taken to hospital for further medical checks.
After those checks were carried out, it's been revealed that Vingegaard has suffered a broken collarbone and several broken ribs.
Race leader, Primoz Roglic was also caught up in the incident and has been forced to leave the race. In a positive image however, the BORA - hansgrohe leader showed the cameras a thumbs up as he departed in the back of his team car.
Evenepoel left the race in an ambulance, travelling to the nearest hospital and whilst the medical checks haven't yet been fully carried out, Soudal - Quick-Step boss, Patrick Lefevere was able to give a quick update to what happened and his team leader's condition, saying; "It could have been a lot worse with those rocks and trees, but it looks serious. It's never a good sign when a rider grabs his shoulder. This is the worst possible period, but we have to wait for the medical report."
Jay Vine was the cause of some considerable concern as he lay, still in the ditch, receiving medical attention but thankfully, UAE Team Emirates have since confirmed that he too is conscious and talking to medical staff as they look after him.
Total Energies star Staff Cras was also involved in a bad way. The 28-year-old Belgian is another rider who's made the trip to hospital, with his team reporting Cras is thankfully conscious.
Sean Quinn + Jefferson Alexander Cepeda
The EF Education-EasyPost duo were both caught up in the crash, with Quinn confirmed as an abandon as their medical checks remain ongoing.
Another rider taken to hospital for further, more extensive medical checks was Lidl-Trek's Eritrean star, Natnael Tesfatsion. The 24-year-old will take no further part in the race.
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