Not a day without a fall on the Tour of the Basque Country. For the third time in three days, several riders fell this Wednesday April 3 during the third stage, between Espelette and Altsasu, including Primoz Roglic, leader in the general classification.
The Bora-Hansgrohe rider fell just under 40 kilometers from the finish and took a little time to get going again. Hit on the right side, including some visible burns, Roglic seemed dazed but finally got back on his bike after a minute of floating.
Primoz Roglic has fallen! Stunned and affected, the leader of the general classification leaves after a few seconds of hesitation...
Follow the Tour of the Basque Country on Eurosport #LesRP #Itzulia2024 pic.twitter.com/8le41LyzOq
— Eurosport France (@Eurosport_FR) April 3, 2024
The Slovenian, awaited by two of his teammates Matteo Sobrero and Emanuel Buchmann, was able to find the peloton 25 kilometers from the finish. He retains his yellow leader's jersey acquired from the first stage, during which Remco Evenepoel (Soudal-Quick Step) also fell.
The final stage, won in a sprint by the Belgian Quinten Hermans, was marked by another fall notably involving the Spaniard Juan Ayuso (UAE Team Emirates), fourth overall. In total, nearly twenty runners were at least stopped in this big collision which occurred one kilometer from the finish.
Eventful finale on the 3rd stage of the Tour of the Basque Country! A big fall notably sent Juan Ayuso to the ground, Quinten Hermans won in the sprint... #Itzulia2024 #LesRP pic.twitter.com/KWQNyDzuRh
— Eurosport France (@Eurosport_FR) April 3, 2024
Also read “It’s crazy what’s happening to me”: the unexpected success of Paul Lapeira on the 2nd stage of the Tour of the Basque Country
On Tuesday, two French people also fell, including David Gaudu four kilometers from the finish. The Groupama-FDJ rider had ten stitches put into his right hand immediately and was unable to start the third stage this Wednesday morning. His teammate Romain Grégoire fell in the final, but without seriousness.