Ellen van Dijk taken to hospital for check-up after crash in Vuelta team time trial

Ellen van Dijk was taken to hospital after the La Vuelta Femenina team time trial. The Dutch time trial specialist crashed in the last corner in Valencia. Her Lidl-Trek team says that the hospital visit is purely to rule out possible fractures.

“As a result of her crash in the team time trial, Ellen has a wound on her chin that will require stitches,” Lidl-Trek wrote in a short statement. “Her right shoulder and left knee were also hit. That is why she will be taken to hospital for a check-up to rule out any fractures.”

There is no question of a concussion, according to Lidl-Trek. It is not yet known whether 37-year-old Van Dijk can start the second stage of the Vuelta for women on Monday. The Woerdense was the only one missing from the podium after the team time trial, where Lidl-Trek’s stage victory was celebrated. This despite the fall of Van Dijk and Elynor Bäckstedt and the delay in the final.

‘Ellen van Dijk made the strongest head turns’
Teammate Gaia Realini, who was allowed to put on the first leader’s jersey in La Vuelta Femenina, had mixed reactions afterwards. “I am very happy with the result, for myself and for the team. But I’m also a bit disappointed, because two teammates fell in the last corner. But in the end we took the victory and now we have to focus on the rest of the stages,” said the Italian. “I can wear the jersey and we will certainly try to keep it.”

Brodie Chapman echoed Realini’s words. “Ellen was crucial because she had the longest and strongest head turns. It was a shame that she fell with Elyner, because without that fall we would have won by a bigger margin,” said Chapman. “Despite those mistakes, we rode a great time trial. Now it is hoped that Ellen and Elynor will recover quickly.”

“It is very nice to see that Gaia Realini is already in the red jersey,” she continues. “She clearly started in top form and we know how fantastic her climbing skills are. We are going for it and want to win this match, like we always do.”