The XDS Astana Team were dealt a major setback during Stage 4 of Itzulia Basque Country 2026 as Sergio Higuita was forced to abandon following a crash, with the Colombian later taken to the hospital for further checks.
Higuita’s race came to an abrupt end on a rolling stage when he was unable to continue after the incident. He was seen sitting on the tarmac in visible pain, with clear abrasions on his left arm, a worrying sight for both his team and Colombian fans.
The Kazakh outfit later confirmed that the 28-year-old had been transported to the hospital to assess a possible elbow injury. “Unfortunately, after the crash in the peloton, Sergio Higuita was forced to abandon the race. He is okay, but was taken to hospital to check his elbow,” the team stated.
The withdrawal represents a significant blow for XDS Astana Team, losing one of their key riders for hilly terrain at a crucial point in the race, with the full extent of his injuries still to be determined.
Harold Tejada steps up for XDS Astana
There was at least some positive news for the team, with Harold Tejada delivering a strong ride to finish fifteenth on the stage. The rider from Huila emerged as the best Colombian performer of the day, showing solid form on a demanding parcours that heavily reduced the group of contenders.
With Higuita now out of the race, leadership responsibilities fall firmly onto Tejada for the remaining stages. He will be expected to step up and carry the team’s ambitions into the decisive days of a race that continues to test even the strongest riders.
Kieran WoodDeputy Editor-in-Chief
Kieran Wood is a sports journalist based in Wales and has been active in journalism since 2022. He regularly contributes to DartsNews.com and CyclingUpToDate.com, where he covers professional cycling and darts. In cycling, his work includes liveblogs from major races, including the Tour de France, the Giro d’Italia, and La Vuelta a España, alongside race reports and analysis. He has also conducted interviews with professional riders.
His reporting spans the full racing calendar, from one-day classics to stage races, with a focus on accurate, real-time coverage and clear contextual analysis. For statistics, results, and historical context, he regularly uses resources such as ProCyclingStats. To support reporting on rider activity and training context where relevant, he also references Strava.
In his work, Kieran places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles as new, verified information becomes available.
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- This is just stupid, You do what you are good at not what you are weak at. He has no results to speak of when he participated. Even Froome, Conatdor had very little. With Pogi there he wont win none of the classics. he is already 30+ with a few years left at the top. It takes years to get good at classics. Is that really worth the effort???abstractengineer02-11-2026
- Sure, little fella.awp02-11-2026
- You'll be the ongoing joke of 2027 with anything you post here!frieders302-11-2026
- Awwww your inside information must be from PogiFanGirl. You two daughters of different mothers?frieders302-11-2026
- Hey PogIFanGirl...wipe that cream from your lips! You're ever loving drooling and whatever you have for Tadej has your brain fried!frieders302-11-2026
- Why should he 'let it go' ! Because you said so? Anytime LA Doper is called out is a win win !frieders302-11-2026
- Geez LeMond...let it go. You're a has been, albeit a former great one. But this is all water under the bridge and just undermines your legacy further.Mshark01-11-2026
- 'The Slovenian has collected four Tour de France titles' ... '[Kieran Wood's] ... reporting spans the full racing calendar, from one-day classics to stage races, with a focus on accurate, real-time coverage and clear contextual analysis'. i would say that is pretty inaccurate accurate coverage, kieran wood ... too bad that AI's knowledge often lags several months behind ... but proof reading is certainly part of accurate coverage, isn't it? but fortunately does Kieran Wood place 'strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles as new, verified information becomes available.' i would say the fifth tdf title is pretty new (and even verified) information, so feel free to update this article.Ketterechts01-11-2026
- You are wrong, they are already working on his new tt position. And yes, Trump does love you 😂👍🏼awp01-11-2026
- The Erola Jons incident was not isolated. She felt she could do that because that's how everyone treats Tadej. Remember when he said "If I say wait 2 mins do you show the middle finger and walk off angry?" about the supposed fan who did exactly that? There's nothing wrong with the nurses and doctors asking him to give autographs... but do the surgery first
Rafionain-Glas01-11-2026
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