Young Dutch rider Max van der Meulenabandoned the Tour Down Under on Wednesday morning local time, ending his campaign early in the opening road stage. The ambitious WorldTour rider had begun the Australian stage race with high hopes, but was forced out after a heavy crash.
ADVERTISEMENT
There is no known footage of the crash, but Van der Meulen was taken by ambulance to hospital. His team, Bahrain Victorious, felt it necessary to immediately communicate that Van der Meulen was “conscious” and “able to communicate while in the ambulance.” They added: “We wish him a speedy recovery and will share further updates as they become available.”
Soon after that initial update, Bahrain Victorious released a second statement. The tone remained serious: “Max underwent precautionary checks, including a brain scan. There was no evidence of bleeding. No fractures were found. He has suffered multiple abrasions and bruises. He is doing well otherwise and is expected to make a full recovery.”
ADVERTISEMENT
Continue reading below the photo
Maikel Zijlaard loses lead-out at Tudor on day 2
The 22-year-old Van der Meulen had been looking forward to his second season as a WorldTour professional after a challenging 2025. He had openly said he wanted to make a step forward in 2026. “I just want to reach a level where I can win races. I don’t care what kind of races they are. I’ve come close a few times in finales, but haven’t quite made it yet.”
ADVERTISEMENT
Van der Meulen wasn’t the only rider who failed to finish Stage 1 of the Tour Down Under. Tudor’s Marius Mayrhofer was also listed with a DNF. His last known report was that he was by the roadside with a puncture, but hours later his team provided clarification: Mayrhofer was involved in a crash around 40 kilometres from the finish and was seriously hurt.
Continue reading below the photo
Mayrhofer suffers multiple fractures
Medical examinations confirmed that Mayrhofer suffered fractures to his right collarbone, shoulder blade and ribs. Surgery was not deemed necessary.
The German rider posted briefly from his hospital bed with his arm in a sling: “This is not the start I had in mind, but I’m keeping my head up and looking at the future positively. It’s only January and the season is long.”
Bram van der Ploeg (35) is the proud founder of In de Leiderstrui, IDL Pro Cycling's parent site, launched in 2018. Finally, he could create stories about the sport he had followed since childhood. He is the editor-in-chief on paper, but prefers to be with his recorder next to a rider, a team bus, or in the mud at a cyclocross race. Every year, from February to the end of May, Bram follows the entire Italian cycling season, from the Trofeo Laigueglia to the Giro d'Italia, with the grand finale in October in Lombardy. During that time, he lives in Tuscany, where he has since come to call Italy his 'home'.
🇦🇺 #TourDownUnder | ST 1
🏥Max van der Meulen was transported by ambulance to hospital following a crash on stage 1. The team confirmed that he was conscious and communicating on the way. We wish him a speedy recovery and will share further updates when available.
#RideAsOne
Today we had the first big crash of 2026 in stage 1 of the Tour Down Under 😥
Tudor rider Marius Mayrhofer sustained fractures to his right collarbone, shoulder blade, and ribs. He sends greetings to us from the hospital.
Max van der Meulen also crashed hard and was transported