Evenepoel taken to hospital after crash in Itzulia Basque Country

Belgian cyclist Remco Evenepoel was taken to hospital on Thursday after suffering a serious crash in the Itzulia Basque Country stage race. The crash also took out ​ Jonas Vingegaard and Primoz Roglic. 

Many riders missed a sudden right-hand turn on a fast descent just 30km from the finish. Evenepoel crashed and slid for several metres before getting back to his feet, but was forced to abandon the race. 

Evenepoel crashed heavily onto his right shoulder and is feared to have broken his collarbone. He was taken to hospital for tests. Australian Jay Vine was also taken to hospital and Slovenian leader Roglic was forced to abandon the race after the crash.

The crash also ended the race for Danish rider Vingegaard. The winner of last year's Tour de France was taken away on a stretcher. He is conscious and has been taken to hospital for further tests, his team said.

Last week, Belgian Wout van Aert suffered a serious crash during the Dwars door Vlaanderen race. He broke his collarbone, breastbone and several ribs and had to undergo surgery the following day.

Safety issues in cycling have also been high on the agenda in the run-up to Paris-Roubaix. On Wednesday, organisers announced that a chicane would be added ahead of the tricky Trouée d'Arenberg to slow down the peloton and increase safety.

Opinions are divided on the last-minute change. "Is this a joke?" asked last year's Roubaix winner Mathieu van der Poel on X. While some believe the hairpin chicane will successfully slow down the riders, others see it as creating a new risky situation that could lead to crashes.

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