"Probably my helmet saved my life" - Thymen Arensman 'incredibly lucky' after coming through Vuelta crash fracture-free

There was a terrifying moment towards the end of stage 7 at the 2023 Vuelta a Espana as INEOS Grenadiers rider, Thymen Arensman was carted off the race in an ambulance. Thankfully though, the Dutchman is without serious injury.

Taking to Instagram late on Friday evening, Arensman provided an update to his condition. "Hi everyone, thanks for all the messages. I am unbelievably lucky, I think," he opens. "Apart from a bit of pain everywhere, my head hurts and missing a tooth it looks like nothing broken, so far."

Arensman was a star of last year's edition of the Vuelta a Espana, finishing 6th overall and winning a stage. This time around, the Dutchman had been hoping to aid his team leader Geraint Thomas to success but will now play no further part for the INEOS Grenadiers after abandoning the race.

"I can’t remember anything from what happened and woke up in the hospital, I must have been out for a few hours," he explains. "I am not my most handsome self anymore with stitches and injuries to my face and missing a tooth, but I’ll take it Probably my helmet saved my life. I’m relatively ok. I’ll be cheering for my teammates now while trying to recover to full health. Adios."