Warren Barguil (Arkéa-Samsic) and Rigoberto Urán (EF Education First) have both been forced to abandon the 2019 Paris-Nice with injuries after crashing on stage two.
The second day of racing was fast and chaotic with crosswinds creating echelons and causing a number of crashes. The stage was eventually won by Dylan Groenewegen (Jumbo-Visma) from a small escape group, with the Dutchman holding on to the overall lead having taken the yellow jersey on stage one.
>>> Mark Cavendish abandons Paris-Nice whilst still working towards full fitness following virus
Frenchman Barguil crashed early on in the stage after 59km, and was immediately taken to hospital after being attended to by on-race medical staff.
Scans at the Dourdan hospital initially indicated a double fracture in his second cervical vertrebra and he remained in hospital overnight on Monday. On Tuesday however, further scans revealed less severe injuries.
Barguil was transferred to a specialist centre in Paris which showed he had suffered a cervical sprain, requiring 10 days in a neck brace. His team also confirmed he lost consciousness after crashing.
The French team also lost Maxime Bouet to a crash on the stage, with the 32-year-old needing to have an X-ray on a painful knee.
For Urán, who crashed much later with just 40km remaining on the stage, he'll need several weeks recovery having fractured his collarbone and suffered some road rash.
EF Education First said the Colombian will return to his base in Monaco where he'll have surgery to repair the break on Wednesday. He'll then be able to being training on the turbo trainer before resuming outdoor training in a few weeks' time.
That will probably see him miss out on competing in his next scheduled stage race at the Tour of the Basque Country, which begins on April 8.
“I had a tough crash,” Uran said on the crash. “Today, there was a lot of wind. I touched a rider, another rider touched my wheel.
"I feel disappointed, of course. I had good legs. That’s cycling.”
Paris-Nice continues on Tuesday with stage three, a 200km route that should end in a bunch finish.
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
-
-
How to watch Liège-Bastogne-Liège 2023: Everything you need to live stream the oldest of the five Monuments
The key information for Liège-Bastogne-Liège, taking place on 23 April
-
Angry riders argue 'stupid and extreme' handlebar positions are threatening race safety
A flared position has become ever more common, but the peloton fear that some riders are taking the trend too far
-
Closing the gap: David Gaudu emerges from Paris-Nice more confident than ever before
The Groupama-FDJ rider finished second overall at the Race to the Sun, but gained more than just the result
-
Goodbye lime: We need to talk about the Tour de France green jersey
There's change afoot at ASO's French races, with the combativity colour also undergoing a revamp
-
Andrei Kivilev remembered 20 years on from his death at Paris-Nice
Kazakh rider’s death during 2003 edition led to helmets being made obligatory in racing
-
Paris-Nice just first step on the road to Tour de France redemption for Tadej Pogačar
The UAE Team Emirates rider might have won the Race to the Sun but he is not taking anything for granted
-
Lefevere suggests UCI is 'short of cash' after fining Alaphilippe
Soudal Quick-Step rails against the ruling body after his French team leader is penalised for removing his helmet while racing
-
Big two becomes big three as Gaudu joins Pogačar and Vingegaard at Paris-Nice
Tadej Pogačar might have won again, but it was close, and David Gaudu could yet win Paris-Nice
-
'It's likely to be very dangerous' - Inside Paris-Nice stage six, the race that never was
Friday's stage was first shortened to 80km, then called off completely thanks to "exceptionally violent winds"
-
‘Second is not bad but it’s the victories that count’ - Olav Kooij gets revenge at Paris-Nice
Jumbo-Visma rider overhauls Pedersen in reversal of stage two fortunes
