📸 Drama for Tom Pidcock: INEOS leader crashes during time trial recon and is forced to withdraw in the Basque Country

Tom Pidcock's participation in the Tour of the Basque Country came to an abrupt end before the event had even kicked off. The British cyclist from INEOS Grenadiers crashed on Monday while scouting the route for the opening time trial and was subsequently taken to the hospital for a check-up.

"Unfortunately, Tom Pidcock has had to withdraw from the Tour of the Basque Country," was suddenly announced at 14:05 via the official channels of INEOS Grenadiers. "He fell during the time trial recon. After consultation between the doctors and the medical team, Tom was taken to the hospital for examination."

A photo shows Pidcock walking away after his fall, accompanied by stewards from the organization. The right side of his shorts is torn. Updates on the actual extent of his injuries are to follow. For Pidcock, it's a major setback, especially since he had been performing so well this season, in a year he wanted to further explore his potential as a GC rider.

In the Basque Country, he would have had the chance to compete against Jonas Vingegaard, Remco Evenepoel, Primoz Roglic, and many others. All in preparation for the Tour de France, where he aims to compete for the general classification in the summer. His form was already proving strong in the first few months of the year. He finished sixth in the Tour of Algarve, eighth in Omloop Het Nieuwsblad, fourth in Strade Bianche, and ninth in Tirreno-Adriatico. After a training block, the Tour of the Basque Country was set to be his final test before the Ardennes classics.