Marc Soler describes inability to stand up after Tour de France crash: 'I was really dizzy'
The Movistar rider crashed out of May's Giro d'Italia and is unlikely to return to Grand Tour action until next year


Movistar rider Marc Soler has revealed in disturbing detail how he was barely able to ride a bike after crashing hard on stage one of the Tour de France.
The Spaniard was badly injured in the mass pile-up with 47km to go during Saturday’s stage, the crash caused by a spectator whose sign was hit by Jumbo-Visma’s Tony Martin that sent dozens of riders to the ground.
The 27-year-old, who had harboured hopes of a high-placing in the Tour, suffered three fractures in his arms but was able to ride to the finish. He did not start stage two due to his injuries.
At a time when there is increased pressure on the sport to address injuries in racing and specifically concussion, Soler’s recollection of the event will raise questions, especially given how he is now not able to cycle for a month, ruling him out of August’s Vuelta a España.
>>> Tour de France organisers will not sue fan who caused mass pile-up on stage one
Writing in La Vanguardia, a Spanish newspaper, the Catalan said: “The fall came at a point where the road narrowed, and we were looking for positions.
“We were going through to the front, which is the safest position in case there is an incident, and suddenly I saw the Jumbo-Visma rider fall to my right, and in front of me, I collided with [Mike] Teunissen.
“I flew, tumbled, and landed hard on my hands. They both hurt, as did my face where my sunglasses had broken and my shoulder too.
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
“I tried to stand up but couldn’t, I had no strength in my arms. The mechanic pulled me by the armpits, and I sat on the side of the road, I was really dizzy.
“There were still 50 kilometres to go. [The team] told me to try to continue but I don’t know how I did it, I couldn’t change gears or brake.
“When I got to the finish, I was worried about the time limit, but I couldn’t even get undressed on the bus, they had to cut them with scissors. Then when we got to the medical truck, they confirmed my injuries.”
Soler fractured the ulnar and radial head on his left hand and the radial on the right.
Fortunately for Soler, who was part of a strong-looking Movistar squad that includes veteran Alejandro Valverde and Colombian Miguel Ángel López, he did require any surgery but he is forced to rest at home and wait for his injuries to recover.
“No surgery was necessary, and I can go without a cast if I go well, which is what I am doing,” he added.
“I wear my arm in a sling and a wrist strap that immobilises the area. I have to spend between three and four weeks without doing anything, not even on the rollers because I cannot support myself.
This means losing all shape, as the body quickly adapts to rest. I hope to still ride a race, but I can say goodbye to the Vuelta a España.”
Soler, who won a stage of the Tour de Romandie in April, also confirmed that he is considering filing a lawsuit against the fan who caused the accident.
The Tour de France organisers ASO have said that they will not be taking such action, although the 30-year-old woman is facing criminal charges and could spend up to a year in prison.
“I don’t know what to do, [but] I think I will sue the spectator because it’s a whole Tour thrown away and I feel a lot of anger,” he said.
Thank you for reading 20 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
A freelance sports journalist and podcaster, you'll mostly find Chris's byline attached to news scoops, profile interviews and long reads across a variety of different publications. He has been writing regularly for Cycling Weekly since 2013. In 2024 he released a seven-part podcast documentary, Ghost in the Machine, about motor doping in cycling.
Previously a ski, hiking and cycling guide in the Canadian Rockies and Spanish Pyrenees, he almost certainly holds the record for the most number of interviews conducted from snowy mountains. He lives in Valencia, Spain.
-
Only 1% of London bike thefts result in police action, according to figures
More than 1,363 incidents of bike-related crime were reported in the London borough of Hackney last year
-
Tadej Pogačar is going to race fans up a mountain - here's how you can enter
World champion to take part in cycling challenge on his favourite climb in Slovenia
-
Tour de France Champs-Élysées stage to include cobbled climb in Montmartre, copying Paris Olympic road race
Route change confirmed to mark 50th anniversary of first ever finish on the Champs-Élysées
-
'I was doing loads of cocaine... my kids were going to put me into rehab': Bradley Wiggins on recreational drug use, Lance Armstrong's help and finding a new love for cycling
Wiggins opens up on the personal trauma which engulfed him post-retirement and put him in some 'very dangerous' situations after he became addicted to cocaine
-
Identical start, diverging destinies? The story of Adam and Simon Yates as they both race for pink at the Giro d'Italia
Adam and Simon Yates head to the Giro d’Italia on different teams and with different prospects. As their career paths diverge, does the brotherly bond endure?
-
Who could complete the Grand Tour hat-trick at the men’s Giro d’Italia?
Six male riders could become stage winners in all three Grand Tours this month
-
Entire Movistar team fined after start ramp chaos at Vuelta Femenina
Visma-Lease a Bike file official complaint with the UCI following team time trial delays
-
Tadej Pogačar was dominant at Liège-Bastogne-Liège, but I hope for a competitive Tour de France
The Slovenian has finished on the podium of the last six Monuments, the first man to do so - when will he stop dominating?
-
Jonas Vingegaard confirms race schedule ahead of Tour de France
Danish climber will only ride the Critérium du Dauphiné in June, but will take part in two altitude camps
-
Colombian climbing star and former Vuelta a España winner Lucho Hererra could be investigated over murders of four people
A judge has called for an investigation into the former Vuelta winner who is alleged to have worked with paramilitary groups in Colombia