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.
-
-
Tom Pidcock anticipated Van der Poel's crash as Brit's Olympic celebration limited to eating all the cake at the buffet
The Brit says his Dutch rival was almost falling before he even went over the top of the downhill section
By Jonny Long •
-
Inspired by Olympic cycling? Everything you need to get into road cycling, time trialling, triathlon or track cycling
You don't have to have earned a tattoo of the five rings to enjoy cycling, here's what you'll need to get started
By Michelle Arthurs-Brennan •
-
Five things we learned from Paris-Nice 2021
Talking points from a memorable edition of Paris-Nice
By Stephen Puddicombe •
-
Primož Roglič discolated his shoulder in first of two crashes on Paris-Nice stage eight
"It could have been worse," says the Slovenian, who is already looking ahead to the next race
By Jonny Long •
-
'Nobody waited for me when I punctured' says Max Schachmann, left with mixed emotions after Paris-Nice win
The German said it's not nice to win in the manner he did after successfully defending his title
By Jonny Long •
-
Primož Roglič plummets out of yellow jersey as Max Schachmann defends Paris-Nice title
Magnus Cort won the final stage eight on a day filled with drama
By Jonny Long •
-
Should Primož Roglič have gifted Paris-Nice stage to Gino Mäder? Both riders have their say
Roglič overtook the young Swiss rider in the final few metres to claim his third stage victory of the race
By Jonny Long •
-
Primož Roglič breaks Bahrain hearts to take irrepressible third win on stage seven of Paris-Nice
Gino Mäder had his pocket picked on the line as Roglič took yet another stage win
By Jonny Long •
-
'It's unbelievable how Primož Roglič continues his form at Paris-Nice,' says Steven Kruijswijk
The Slovenian is closing in on yet another stage race victory
By Jonny Long •
-
Primož Roglič unstoppable as he takes stage six of Paris-Nice, solidifying GC lead
The Slovenian beat the likes of Michael Matthews and Christophe Laporte in the fast uphill finish to take 10 more bonus seconds
By Jonny Long •
