Thursday, March 28, 2024 at 8:24 AM
The massive crash during Dwars door Vlaanderen put a stop to the spring plans of Wout van Aert and Jasper Stuyven, but Mads Pedersen escaped unscathed. The Danish suffered ‘only’ abrasions and bruises and hopes to be able to appear at the start of the Tour of Flanders on Sunday (in top form).
The 78th edition of Dwars door Vlaanderen was won by Matteo Jorgenson, but afterwards it was mainly about the heavy crash in the run-up to the Kanarieberg. For several favorites, Dwars door Vlaanderen (and their spring campaign) ended prematurely due to this serious crash. The biggest victims were Wout van Aert and Jasper Stuyven, who had to be taken to hospital with broken bones.
Another big name involved in the fall was Mads Pedersen. The Dane also sat on the ground for a while, but got back on the bike after an initial concussion check. The world champion from Harrogate – winner of Gent-Wevelgem on Sunday – then drove on for a while, towards the team bus, and then left the race.
Pedersen escaped unscathed, because a medical check showed that the 28-year-old rider did not suffer any fractures or other serious injuries from the fall. He is therefore optimistic for next Sunday, when the Tour of Flanders will be held. “Bruises and a sore body are undoubtedly on the menu in the coming days. I will do my utmost to be there again on Sunday,” he said via Instagram.
Bad news for Stuyven and Kirsch
However, Lidl-Trek, Pedersen’s team, is in the corner where the blows are falling after Dwars door Vlaanderen. The American formation sees two riders drop out for the Tour of Flanders and also Paris-Roubaix, Jasper Stuyven and Alex Kirsch. Co-leader Stuyven had to be taken to hospital with a broken collarbone, while Kirsch suffered a broken metacarpal.
