Alex Dowsett: Crashing twice in one day, that’s a record
British rider Alex Dowsett was caught up in two crashes during the opening stage of the Abu Dhabi Tour
- (opens in new tab)
- (opens in new tab)
- (opens in new tab)
- Sign up to our newsletter Newsletter

Movistar rider Alex Dowsett set an unenviable personal record by crashing twice in one day on stage one of the Abu Dhabi Tour on Thursday.
Dowsett was among those riders bought down in a crash with just one kilometre to go, in which Sky rider Owain Doull sustained cuts to his shoe and foot, that he blamed on Marcel Kittel’s disc breaks.
However, he also crashed on the long, straight wide road that comprised most of the stage.
>>> Riders react on Twitter after Owain Doull blames disc brakes for injury
“Two in a day is a record it’s not something I want to do again either,” he said as he nursed abrasions and bruising to his right arm, shoulder and knee.
The first crash Dowsett said was his “own fault” after hitting a cat's eye in the middle of the road. “If it’s all your fault then you don’t want to take anyone down with you,” he said.
Dowsett was one of a handful of riders that crashed on a relatively featureless stage held mostly on two lane highways. Juraj Sagan (Bora-Hansgrohe) and Pello Bilbao Lopez (Astana) also came down.
“Today was so boring I’ve crashed so I’m going to say it was a s**t course. We had two corners in the first 180km and five in the last five km, it’s just…” Dowsett said, shrugging his shoulders.
“People switch off massively it’s so dull out there with a long straight road you’re not really doing anything, it’s a bit uncomfortable but it’s not that hard by any stretch of the imagination and then its hot as well, it's up to 36 degrees out there it tires you out a bit.”
Thank you for reading 10 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
Having trained as a journalist at Cardiff University I spent eight years working as a business journalist covering everything from social care, to construction to the legal profession and riding my bike at the weekends and evenings. When a friend told me Cycling Weekly was looking for a news editor, I didn't give myself much chance of landing the role, but I did and joined the publication in 2016. Since then I've covered Tours de France, World Championships, hour records, spring classics and races in the Middle East. On top of that, since becoming features editor in 2017 I've also been lucky enough to get myself sent to ride my bike for magazine pieces in Portugal and across the UK. They've all been fun but I have an enduring passion for covering the national track championships. It might not be the most glamorous but it's got a real community feeling to it.
-
-
Neah Evans and Charlie Tanfield take National track titles
Olympians put in strong performances on the first day of competition in Newport
By Vern Pitt • Published
-
A Call of a Life Time: YouTube docuseries chronicling the Life Time Grand Prix premiers tonight
The six-part series promises a 'binge-worthy' behind-the-scenes look into the off-road cycling world
By Anne-Marije Rook • Published
-
Changing of the guard: Seven top cyclists who have retired in 2022
Vincenzo Nibali, Alejandro Valverde and Tom Dumoulin have all called time on their careers this year
By Tom Thewlis • Published
-
Facing retirement, Alex Dowsett is keeping his options well and truly open
33-year-old Israel-Premier Tech rider says reaction to his retirement has been 'exciting'
By Adam Becket • Published
-
Alex Dowsett to retire from professional cycling
33-year-old Israel-Premier Tech rider says his future is still going to be on two wheels, just not in WorldTour
By Adam Becket • Published
-
Tadej Pogačar wins UAE Tour with stage seven victory atop Jebel Hafeet
The Slovenian claimed the red jersey with his second stage win of the race.
By Tom Davidson • Published
-
Mathias Vacek wins stage six of UAE Tour as peloton fails to catch breakaway
Gazprom-RusVelo make numbers in break count as sprinters have to settle for minor places
By Adam Becket • Published
-
Jasper Philipsen sprints to victory on stage five of UAE Tour
Belgian rider wins second sprint of the race ahead of Olav Kooij and Sam Bennett
By Adam Becket • Last updated
-
Filippo Ganna sticks with the climbers in 'ride of the day' performance on UAE Tour summit finish
The Italian time trial specialist showed he is capable of keeping pace on mountain stages too, crossing the line in 11th
By Ryan Dabbs • Published
-
'Having a team like this gives you goosebumps': Pogačar credits team after UAE Tour triumph
Slovenian takes control of leader's jersey after stage four
By Adam Becket • Published