Update: Last-minute crash sees Oscar Riesebeek out of Vuelta a Espana, Flories de Tier last-minute replacement
Cycling
To miss out on a Grand Tour due to a crash is a complicated situation, but for that to happen the day before the start is a very unfortunate situation, one that Alpecin - Deceuninck's Oscar Riesebeek had to endure today.
The Belgian rider was set to start the race as a supporting teammate for Tim Merlier and his sprinting ambitions. This morning whilst out on a team ride, Risebeek crashes and sustained a broken thumb and dislocated ring finger in his right hand.
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Hours before the start of the race, Alpecin-Deceuninck confirmed that Riesebeek will have a replacement in Flories de Tier. The Belgian will be covering for Riesebeek's role very likely with breakaway control on the flat days, however may have a saying in the hilly stages where he'll have the company of the likes of Robert Stannard and Gianni Vermeersch who can fight for a top result.
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- I had no idea about that either.
santiagobenites10-11-2026 - great analysis thanks! appreciate you posting this. I didn't realize CX had a different standard for deviation. this is even more egregious it seems.mij10-11-2026
- As he isn't currently with Red Bull, I guess if he want to race for one more year he needs to find a team. He's 37 so this will be his last year I would guess, unless he wants to race for almost nothing like Froome did.awp10-11-2026
- I think some are making much ado about nothing. Even though Jonas is getting older, before his crash in the Tour, he looked like a solid 2nd all the way home. No one can really climb with Tadej until this year, Eric Mas showed himself which I think was a one off year for him and Paul Seixas has been able to be pretty close to him. Whatever stage race Jonas enters as long as Tadej is not there he is a favorite to win.awp10-11-2026
- Giro or not Giro, he won't win the Tour!MajorPayne10-11-2026
- Very true.awp10-11-2026
- Ciccone had a very strong end of season. Consistently attacking and livening up races. Hope he makes that last leap in progress and starts notching some significant wins. Great rider to watch.Occam10-11-2026
- Me too!!!!!Occam10-11-2026
- they can sign any 100 of top riders today but Pogi will win over Remco any time at the TDF unless something goes wrongabstractengineer10-11-2026
- the time for a GC rider to retire is when they cannot win stages, or have a significant level drop like from winner/podium into top 5/10 consistently. Roglic is still competitive and Froome raced even though he became pack fodder.abstractengineer10-11-2026
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We are looking into the possibilities to replace him at the Vuelta. Join us in wishing @OscarRiesebeek a speedy recovery. 2/2
#LaVuelta22 @FlorisDeTier has been called up to replace @OscarRiesebeek at the Vuelta. He arrived at the team hotel in Utrecht this morning.
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