Visma Lease a Bike's Affini suffers hard crash at Italian time trial, taken away in ambulance
CyclingFriday, 26 June 2026 at 09:30
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Follow us on GoogleEdoardo Affini suffered a serious crash during the Italian time trial championship. Italian cycling journalists reported a serious crash on Thursday afternoon after just 6 kilometers. Affini had to be taken to the hospital by ambulance.
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The Italian was announced just this week as one of the eight riders for the Tour de France with Visma | Lease a Bike. “Edoardo is a big guy with plenty of horsepower. He can practically carry a team leader in his back pocket,” said coach Marc Reef.
Incoming Head of Racing Reef has an important role for Affini in the Tour, working alongside team leader Jonas Vingegaard. “Edoardo always makes sure Jonas is exactly where he needs to be. In the heat of the moment, you need guys like him.”
"Also because he commands the respect of so many other riders in the peloton. That’s especially important during the flat stages, partly because he’s the kind of rider who never misses a crucial moment. In the Tour, that’s even more important than in any other race, because it’s so chaotic."
Read more under the Tweet.
Affini time trial bike shows signs of big impact
Reports suggest Affini given a 'green code'
Whether Affini will miss the Tour de France due to the crash was and is not yet known. He was conscious after the crash, reported journalist Davide Lessi of RAI Sport. Filippo Ganna, who won the Italian time trial, said afterwards: 'I feel sorry for Edoardo, I hope he recovers in time.'
An update only came later in the evening, again from journalist Lessi. He stated: 'Affini has been transferred to the hospital in Mondovì for examination, where the Visma | Lease a Bike rider has been given a green code.'
In an Italian hospital, this code is known as a 'non-emergency situation or minor procedure'. Reportedly, Affini has not broken anything, but Visma | Lease a Bike will ultimately have to provide the definitive news.
Wil Edoardo Affini make the Visma Tour de France team?
After Wout van Aert's removal from the provisional Tour team (replaced by out-and-out climber Davide Piganzoli), the loss of another 'big man' would be a blow to Vingegaard's chances of winning a third Tour de France.
Riders like Van Aert and Affini provide much needed fire power on the flat and rolling days. Without both of these riders, Jonas Vingegaard would be left with a team of mostly mountain domestiques. How this will affect the outcome of the Tour de France remains to be seen.
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David Bavin-HobbsChief Editor
David has been working in the sports & cycling industry for 16 years. Covering racing, business and technology, he has worked in communications for cycling companies, teams, and as a journalist. His proudest achievement is winning the first bike race he ever entered. He hasn't won a race since.
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