Massive Crash at Itzulia Basque Country Leaves Riders Injured: Vingegaard, Evenepoel, and Roglic Amongst Those Hurt

A devastating crash on Stage 4 of the Itzulia Basque Country left multiple riders injured, including Tour de France champion Jonas Vingegaard and rising star Remco Evenepoel. The incident occurred with 35km to go, resulting in Vingegaard and Evenepoel suffering broken collarbones and requiring extensive treatment.

Vingegaard, who was taken away in an ambulance on a stretcher, was found to have also suffered a pulmonary contusion and pneumothorax in addition to his broken collarbone and ribs. Evenepoel, on the other hand, was diagnosed with a fracture to his right collarbone and scapula.

The severity of the crash led to the race being neutralised for safety reasons, with only the six leading riders from the breakaway allowed to compete for the stage win. Louis Meintjes ultimately claimed victory, but celebrations were muted as news of the injured riders continued to come in.

The aftermath of the crash was difficult to witness, with riders scattered on the ground and ambulances rushing to provide medical assistance. Despite the chaos, updates from various teams indicated that most riders were conscious and receiving treatment for their injuries.

As the race heads into Stage 5, the cycling community is left reeling from the impact of the crash. With top contenders like Roglic, Vingegaard, and Evenepoel now out of the running, the dynamics of the competition have shifted dramatically. Fans and riders alike are hoping for a swift recovery for those injured in the incident, as the peloton prepares to continue the race in the face of adversity.