We know the verdict after Remco Evenepoel’s heavy crash in the fourth stage of the Tour of the Basque Country. Our compatriot fell to the ground there together with Jonas Vingegaard, among others, and was left with a broken collarbone and broken shoulder blade.
Vincent Van Genechten, Stijn Joris, Hugo Coorevits
Yesterday at 9:25 PM
Evenepoel was able to stand up on his own after his fall, but the Belgian champion felt his collarbone. It was quickly confirmed to our editors that Liège-Bastogne-Liège (and the Amstel Gold Race) is not an option for the Belgian champion, but the Tour would not be compromised.
Soudal Quick-Step provided a medical update later in the evening. The Belgian champion suffered a broken collarbone and also broke his shoulder blade on the right side in his crash. Evenepoel will travel to Herentals on Friday to undergo surgery.
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Evenepoel came with a video message on Thursday evening to explain his situation.
“Hello everyone, Remco here,” it sounds. “I just wanted to let you know that I broke my collarbone and shoulder blade. So it is logical that my plans will change in the short term. I hope and think that they will remain unchanged for the long term. That should be fine. I must also thank all the doctors and our team doctor Toon for taking care of me. Of course I also wish all the other riders involved the best and a quick recovery. I hope to meet you again soon in the race.”
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Team manager Patrick Lefevere heard the news just as his team was holding a press conference in the run-up to Paris-Roubaix.
“I knew it was going to be a tricky ride,” said Lefevere. “From images I saw, one of us was in the lead and Remco in second position. It was someone behind him who fell and threw him off balance a bit, mentally. From then on, he seemingly lost control of the bike, but he wasn’t the only one. It is certainly not because they take too many risks. I don’t know the condition of the road, but it seemed quite slippery to me. How the man falls on his wheel (Natnael Tesfatsion from Lidl-Trek, ed.) and how far he slides… It could have been much worse for Remco, because there were rocks and trees everywhere. I don’t know exactly what he slid into, I don’t know what’s under that grass. But it does look serious.”