Positive news for Visma - Key Tour de France domestique given the green light after high-speed crash

Team Visma | Lease a Bike has confirmed one of the most anticipated updates of recent days: Edoardo Affini has been given the go ahead for the Tour de France. The Italian will be able to travel to Barcelona to ride the 2026 Tour de France, dispelling doubts after his crash in the Italian Championships time trial.

The update from the Dutch squad is a major relief for the structure led by Jonas Vingegaard, which in recent weeks has seen its Grande Boucle plans complicated by several high-profile absences.

Concerns arose during the Italian Time Trial Championships, where Affini crashed, raising serious doubts about his presence at the Tour de France, which will start this Saturday in Barcelona. A high-speed fall saw him abandon the race and get carried away in an ambulance - but fractures were not identified.

The incident came at the worst possible time, just days before the start of the most important race on the calendar and with the Italian listed as one of Visma’s indispensable riders. The uncertainty was heightened because Affini is expected to play a decisive role from day one of racing.

The likes of Ben Tulett and Jorgen Nordhagen were possible cards to replace the Italian whilst Wielerflits had also reported that Bart Lemmen was also pulled out of the Dutch national championships due to a possible call-up.

The 2026 edition will open with a team time trial in Barcelona, an ideal setting for specialists like Affini, regarded as one of the peloton’s finest rouleurs.

His power and experience make the Italian a cornerstone of the Dutch block as they aim to launch the Tour with a standout performance and avoid time losses to key rivals. But his value goes far beyond that opening day.

In recent seasons, Affini has become one of Jonas Vingegaard’s most trusted riders in the Grand Tours. His work is crucial on flat and rolling stages, where the Dane must stay perfectly positioned to avoid splits, crashes, or echelons that could jeopardize his yellow jersey ambitions.

Beyond chasing breaks when required, the Italian plays an essential role in the run-in to climbs and categorized ascents, shielding his leader in the peloton’s most tense moments.

For that reason, the team had been clear for months that, despite riding the Giro d’Italia, Affini had to be part of the eight heading to the Tour.

With the medical green light, the Italian will travel to Barcelona with his teammates and line up for a Tour de France in which Visma expects to fight for the yellow jersey all the way to Paris.