Zingle (Visma | Lease a Bike) provides update from hospital after dropping out as leader in Four Days of Dunkirk

Zingle was riding attentively until a crash 25 kilometers from the finish knocked him out of the race. His teammate Per Strand Hagenes was also involved, but the Norwegian could continue. Hagenes eventually finished seventh in the stage won by Sam Watson (INEOS Grenadiers) and is now fifth in the overall standings.

"It’s obviously very bitter that Axel had to leave the race in this way," said sports director Frans Maassen. "He was really feeling strong today. Along the way, he even picked up some bonus seconds, and together with Per, he was always well positioned. Per was also involved in the crash, but he managed to continue. It’s very impressive that he was still able to contest the stage win today."

“It's a pity, as an overall victory with Axel was definitely within reach tomorrow," said the sports director about Zingle, who won the opening stage.

"This was not the chair I wanted to be in this evening," Zingle shared later that evening from a wheelchair in the hospital. "It was an ugly crash and I hit my neck quite a bit, but everything seems to be okay. This is a big setback, but I'll be back."