Cyclists Jonas Vingegaard and Jay Vine Hospitalized After High-Speed Mass Accident at Itzulia Race

In a shocking turn of events at the Itzulia race in the Basque Country of Spain, some of the world’s top cyclists, including reigning Tour de France champion Jonas Vingegaard, suffered serious injuries in a high-speed mass accident.

Vingegaard, from the Visma-Lease a Bike team, was reported to have sustained a broken collarbone and several ribs in the crash. Despite the alarming nature of the accident, Vingegaard remained conscious as he was taken to the hospital for further evaluation.

Australian rider Jay Vine, winner of last year’s Tour Down Under, also fell heavily during the incident and was transported to the hospital. Fortunately, Vine was conscious and able to communicate with medical staff, providing some relief to his UAE team.

Another notable casualty of the crash was Remco Evenepoel, the 2022 world champion, who escaped with a fractured collarbone and a pulled shoulder blade. Evenepoel will undergo surgery in Belgium to address his injuries.

The accident, which involved twelve riders at the front of the peloton, occurred during the fourth stage of the race. The leaders were navigating a sharp turn on a downhill grade when the incident occurred, sending several riders off the road and into a ditch.

The race was neutralized following the crash, with only six riders allowed to sprint to the finish. South African Louis Meintjes ultimately claimed victory in what he described as a bittersweet moment, acknowledging the somber mood following the accident.

The cycling community was left reeling from the impact of the crash, which also saw Giro d’Italia champion Primoz Roglic withdraw from the race after giving a thumbs up to indicate his well-being. The thoughts of riders and fans alike are with those injured in the accident, hoping for a speedy recovery for all involved.