‘Never in doubt!’ – Van Aert claims ‘big win’ on Stage 5 ‘at a canter’
Video credit: TNT Sports
The Netcompany Ineos rider was able to get back on his bike and finished 29 minutes behind stage winner Maxim Van Gils following the incident. However, he will not be able to continue the race.His team said in a statement: “Oscar Onley crashed on Stage 6 of Tour Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes. Unfortunately he has sustained a dislocated shoulder and leg wounds and will be unable to start Stage 7 tomorrow.”Ineos rider Josh Tarling also abandoned the race following a crash on Stage 6. Tarling fell during the stage and did not get back on his bike, with Ineos saying he sustained a “fractured clavicle.”
“Both of our riders will be under the care of our medical team for onward treatment and we wish them a speedy recovery,” added the team.
In another blow to Ineos, Kevin Vauquelin slipped from second place overall to 15th. He was unable to keep with Paul Seixas (Decathlon CMA CGM) when he attacked on the final climb.
Van Gils won Stage 6 as his Red Bull-Bora Hansgrohe team-mate Luke Tuckwell finished third and took the leader’s jersey.
Visma-Lease a Bike’s Matteo Jorgenson said he was ”shocked” to see Onley’s crash.
”That final descent was really tricky,” Jorgenson told TNT Sports.
”I hope Oscar Onley is okay, because I saw him fly over the guardrail and I was a bit shocked by that.”
Van Gils described his stage win as “one of the most beautiful days of my career” having recovered from a bad crash earlier this year.
”I think everyone saw my crash,” he added. “Afterwards, I always stayed positive and kept training hard.
“To win here at the Tour Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes in the Dauphiné region. I love it here, and my girlfriend is from here. Today we rode on many roads where I train. I am very happy.”
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