Paris–Nice medical bulletin after 15 DNFs: fractures for Dutch riders, Visma escape serious damage and Ayuso cites Kobe Bryant

After Piet Allegaert (Cofidis, illness), Eddie Dunbar (Pinarello–Q36.5, effects of an earlier crash) and Roel van Sintmaartensdijk (Lotto) had already failed to start, the race then descended into a brutal day on the road. In the French wind and rain, four Red Bull–BORA–hansgrohe riders and lone Visma | Lease a Bike leader Jonas Vingegaard were left at the front — with the Dane ultimately going on to win the stage.

The crash involving Juan Ayuso was the one that lingered in the mind. The Paris–Nice race leader was in the first echelon and hit the deck hard. He initially tried to continue, but then lay curled up on the wet grass. Fortunately for Ayuso and Lidl-Trek, the damage later proved less serious than feared.

“Luckily, X-rays taken in hospital in France revealed no fractures for Ayuso,” the team said. “A further clinical assessment by the team doctor on site also ruled out other serious injuries. Juan will remain under the team’s medical supervision and an additional update will only be provided if necessary.”

The Spaniard — a big NBA fan — also posted on Instagram, quoting Kobe Bryant: “Everything negative — pressure, challenges — is all an opportunity for me to rise.” Ayuso added: “Thank you for taking good care of me, and thanks to everyone for the messages.” Lidl-Trek teammate Toms Skujins, meanwhile, has been riding bruised for days after a nasty crash on stage 1.

Among the Dutch riders, the Van Dijke brothers impressed — as did Daan Hoole. The Dutchman had already gone down earlier, and Paris–Nice ultimately ended for him as well. “I had to leave Paris–Nice disappointed after a heavy crash during a descent. Scans in hospital showed I’ve broken my little finger,” Hoole said.

“Many thanks to the medical staff from Decathlon for the excellent care, and to the kind nurses in hospital for looking after me,” the Dutchman continued, also noting issues with his hip. “Now the focus is on recovery and I hope to be back with my Decathlon–CMA CGM teammates as soon as possible.”

Hoole wasn’t the only Dutch rider with broken bones. Mathijs Paasschens (Bahrain Victorious) fractured his collarbone, just like teammate Robert Stannard. For Visma | Lease a Bike, GC back-up Davide Piganzoli also had to abandon after a crash, but like Ayuso he avoided any major diagnosis.

Movistar were also caught up in the chaos, with crashes involving Pablo Castrillo, Raúl García Pierna, Iván Romeo and Michel Hessmann — all of whom were in the first group. Castrillo (swelling in the hip joint and other bruises) and García Pierna (multiple bruises to his elbow, hip and right knee) abandoned the race, while the other two made it to the finish injured and in pain.

Bert Van Lerberghe (Soudal Quick-Step) and Luka Mezgec (Jayco AlUla) also stepped out, with medical updates still pending at the time of writing. Alpecin-Premier Tech did provide an update the following morning on Lindsay De Vylder: the Belgian crashed hard onto his hip and elbow, but hospital checks showed no fractures. “Lindsay is still in a lot of pain in his hip, and will therefore be transported home by ambulance to recover.”

Brandon McNulty (UAE Team Emirates–XRG) and Torstein Træen (Uno-X Mobility) were among the GC riders who failed to reach the finish after crashes. The American leader abandoned with abrasions and a painful knee, while his Norwegian counterpart was taken to hospital. INEOS Grenadiers rider Oscar Onley did make it to the line, but lost time due to physical limitations.