Rick Pluimers apologises after decisive Omloop crash: “Luckily our soigneur’s wife is a dentist”
CyclingSaturday, 28 February 2026 at 19:17
Follow IDL Pro Cycling on Google
Stay up to date with the best cycling news by making us a preferred source on Google.
Follow us on GoogleIt may have been the decisive moment of Omloop Het Nieuwsblad: Rick Pluimers hitting the cobbles as the peloton entered the Molenberg, unintentionally splitting the race wide open. The Dutchman (Tudor Pro Cycling Team) paid a painful price too, leaving the incident with damaged teeth that still needed repairing on Saturday evening. He shared his story with IDLProCycling.com.
ADVERTISEMENT
So what exactly happened on the Molenberg? “Florian (Vermeersch, UAE Team Emirates–XRG) opened a small gap and I wanted to close it, but I think I just slid off the crown of the cobbles and both wheels slipped at the same time,” Pluimers explained afterwards. The result was a heavy impact on the stones.
Pluimers knew immediately how bad it was. “I took the hit with my face, so that was pretty rubbish. I also want to say sorry to the other guys, because you know the Molenberg is an important point. Something always happens there, and it’s frustrating that I influenced the race in that way… I’d rather not do that.”
Read more below the video
Pluimers felt contact from Van der Poel
Mathieu van der Poel was on Pluimers’ wheel at the time and somehow managed to stay upright and avoid going down. The eventual winner later apologised to Pluimers as well, saying he hadn’t been able to miss him completely. Pluimers also felt that contact. “I had the idea I got a knock after I’d already hit the ground. That was a scary moment,” he said.
“I first felt my teeth, and then that hit afterwards, so it wasn’t pleasant,” Pluimers added, referring to the moment shared online.
Van der Poel stayed clear and bridged to Vermeersch. With much of the bunch delayed by the crash, only Tim van Dijke (Red Bull–BORA–hansgrohe) was able to make it across, while the rest were left chasing a race that had already slipped away. “Luckily nobody else went down — and it’s still impressive how he stays on his bike,” Pluimers said of Van der Poel.
Read more below the photo
Vermeersch, Van der Poel and Van Dijke rode away after Pluimers' crash
Pluimers’ teeth repaired on Saturday evening
For Pluimers himself it was a missed opportunity, as he felt strong in the Omloop. “The feeling was really good and I didn’t feel like I’d suffered yet. I think there could have been more in it, but then you have to stay on your bike,” he concluded.
And medically? “It could be better — it wasn’t the ideal moment to kiss the ground. A piece of my teeth has broken off and we’re going to sort that first, but luckily our soigneur’s wife is a dentist. She was able to make time on Saturday evening. Hopefully it’s not too bad.”
Tom van der Salm (27) comes from the charming town of Zeilberg (Deurne) in the Netherlands and has been working as editor-in-chief & journalist at IDL Pro Cycling's parent site, In de Leiderstrui, since 2019. He travels with the peloton from the Tour de France to the AlUla Tour and from the World Championships in Rwanda or Canada to the Zilvermeercross in Mol. In his spare time he enjoys playing football, mountain biking, running, walking with his Labrador/Stabyhoun, investing, holidays, (specialty) beers, reading, cooking and watching sports & documentaries!
Contact: [email protected]
IDL-productions
2026 Vuelta a España route | A monstrously tough stage 9 route for a (now) very exciting race
Love cycling and looking for an internship? Join IDL Pro Cycling!
From the Scottish Borders to 4th place in Monaco: the rapid rise of Vuelta a España debutant Callum Thornley
The British Invasion: Brennan, Hayter, Tarling, and Thornley put the Brits front and centre at the Vuelta a España
After struggling to finish with a broken ankle on stage 4, Cian Uijtdebroeks' suffering comes to an end at the Vuelta a España
Latest Cycling News
2026 Vuelta a España stage 10 preview | Visma has a double threat on a challenging finish
Ten Dam is relishing a Pogačar-less Vuelta finale and fancies one contender above the others: ‘That would be the dream scenario’
Vuelta a España 2026 Standings | These are the time gaps after the first rest day
Stef Clement criticises Tadej Pogačar after Vuelta a España crash: 'There’s a danger in that'
Tearful Tom Pidcock dedicates his world mountain bike title to the Tarling family: 'I'm at a loss for words'
Popular Cycling News
A rock on the road may have brought an end to Tadej Pogacar's Vuelta a España (and season)
Van Aert saw Pogačar's crash from the front row: 'I was just able to avoid him'
2026 Vuelta a España start list & dropouts | UAE Emirates-XRG must continue with 6 men
Vuelta a España 2026 Standings | These are the time gaps after the first rest day
Damage assessment: Besides Tadej Pogačar, these riders also crashed on stage 8 of the Vuelta a España
Latest Comments
- Who cares what Stef Clement says? Really, who cares about his idle, baseless comments about Taej's crash, or anything else? Really, does anybody care?rjb31-08-2026
- Show me a video or photo of one rider in the peloton pointing to the rock or whatever the obstacle was and I'll believe Pogacar was complacent. Even on a group ride that would have been pointed out by other riders, and the folks I ride with are far from pros!packfiller7131-08-2026
- - Mas was pure patience. Closing bit by bit instead of a single surge was clever — avoids going into the red. But the article says “toughest day” and still small gaps; doesn’t that suggest the field is pretty evenly matched or the pace never fully detonated?samanthak31-08-2026
- - Mühlberger basically admitted they burned matches too soon, which left Gall solo way too early. If you’ve got numbers, you don’t nuke them at 7k to go on a HC climb. That’s Climbing Tactics 101, lads.velodromevirtuoso131-08-2026
- - Can someone explain the 10 bonus seconds? Are those just for stage placings and do they always apply at mountain-top finishes?jennifer1931-08-2026
- - Not sure I buy all the Decathlon bashing. Yes, they lit it too early, but if Gall was on a meh day, the damage control wasn’t awful. Only 28s on a monster elevation day isn’t catastrophic.tourdeforce931-08-2026
- - Brilliant ride from Mas. Loved how Movistar kept their powder dry until the final ramps — textbook pacing, then the killer punch. Red jersey and a stage, vaya crack.gearguru3331-08-2026
- - Muy buen análisis pero un poco duro, no? He had an off day. Give him a full build and a clean start position and it’s a different carrera. Still, totalmente de acuerdo: compromiso total o nada.pedalpowe2931-08-2026
- - He’s had flashes on the MTB (Nové Město when healthy, the power is there), but execution and tech flow on slick courses still a gap. If he wants Olympic gold, he needs a full XC calendar, altitude, and proper technical blocks. No more dipping in between Tour and Worlds. Allez, do it right!lindae31-08-2026
- - Sorry if this is basic, but why did he start so far back? Is that because of UCI points from MTB events he hasn’t raced, or something else with the grid system?andrewf31-08-2026
Loading
