Gesink okay to start Vuelta stage 18 after crash

When the provisional overall standings were produced after Wednesday's Vuelta a Espana stage 17 three names were glaringly absent from the top ten: Robert Gesink (Rabobank), Ezequiel Mosquera (Xacobeo Galicia)

and Tom Danielson (Garmin-Slipstream).

The trio had all been in the top ten prior to the stage - with Gesink in second place behind race leader Alejandro Valverde (Caisse d'Epargne) - but were involved in a nasty crash during Wednesday's stage to Talavera de la Reina. Up to 30 riders were involved in the incident.

For a moment, it looked as though they'd all either withdrawn from the race or lost so much time to have slipped out of the upper reaches of the overall standings completely. Confusion reigned.

Minutes later, a revised standing was produced by the race organisers with all three listed in their rightful place, much to the relief of the three riders' teams. They had all finished in the same time as stage winner Anthony Roux (Francaise des Jeux).

After over-night medical checks to assess their injuries, Gesink, Mosquera and Danielson will make the start line of Thursday's tough stage 18 to Avila.

Initial post-stage 17 overall results via official TV coverage feed had Gesink, Mosquera and Danielson missing...

...And then they re-appeared

Ezequiel Mosquera receives some attention from the race doctor

Robert Gesink had a deep cut to his left knee, but managed to finish the stage

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Vuelta a Espana 2009: Stage reports

Stage 16: Greipel storms to third win

Stage 15: Boom solos to win

Stage 14: Valverde suffers but strengthens lead

Stage 13: Unlucky Evans loses time on rivals

Stage 12: Hesjedal wins second stage for Garmin

Stage 11: Farrar takes first grand tour victory

Stage 10: Gerrans takes breakaway victory

Stage nine: Cesar wins as Valverde leads in la Vuelta

Stage eight: Cunego takes first mountain stage of 2009 Vuelta

Stage seven: Cancellara outpaces Millar in TT

Stage six: Bozic surprises sprint rivals to take win

Stage five: Greipel wins again and takes race lead

Stage four: Greipel wins after big crash wipes out bunch

Stage three: Henderson wins stage

Stage two: Ciolek takes first road stage, Hammond third

Stage one: Cancellara wins Vuelta opener

Vuelta a Espana 2009: Photos

Stage 16 photo gallery by Graham Watson

Stage 15 photo gallery by Graham Watson

Stage 14 photo gallery by Graham Watson

Stage 13 photo gallery by Graham Watson

Stage 12 photo gallery by Graham Watson

Stage 11 photo gallery by Graham Watson

Stage 10 photo gallery by Graham Watson

Stage nine photo gallery by Graham Watson

Stage eight photo gallery by Graham Watson

Stage six photo gallery by Graham Watson

Stage five photo gallery by Graham Watson

Stage four photo gallery by Graham Watson

Stage three photo gallery by Graham Watson

Stage two photo gallery by Graham WatsonStage one photo gallery by Graham Watson