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BinckBank crash leaves Kuznetsov with fractured sternum and concussion

By Cycling News

published 14 August 2018

Arashiro fractures elbow after in high-speed crash in final kilometre

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Vyacheslav Kuznetsov (Katusha-Alpecin) attended to by medics(Image credit: Bettini Photo)

Vyacheslav Kuznetsov injured in a crash(Image credit: Bettini Photo)

Amund Grondahl Jansen (LottoNl-Jumbo)(Image credit: Bettini Photo)

Fabio Jakobsen (Quick-Step Floors) takes the sprint(Image credit: Tim de Waele/Getty Images Sport)

Fabio Jakobsen (Quick-Step Floors)(Image credit: Tim de Waele/Getty Images Sport)

Katusha-Alpecin have confirmed that Viacheslav Kuznetsov suffered a fractured sternum, concussion and a bruised kidney in the high-speed crash that scattered riders across the road inside the final kilometre of stage 1 of the BinckBank Tour.

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A touch of wheels on a long straight section of road sparked a domino effect that saw Kuznetsov land on his back. He was then hit by Katusha-Alpecin teammate Baptiste Planckaert. Half a dozen other riders also crashed, including Amund Grondahl Jansen (LottoNL-Jumbo), with others forced to take evasive action onto a nearby bike path and grass verge.

The Bahrain-Merida team confirmed that Yukiya Arashiro was also involved in the crash. The Japanese rider got up to finish the stage but was later diagnosed with a fracture of his radial capitellum bone in his elbow and will be out of action for several weeks.

Fabio Jakobsen (Quick-Step Floors) managed to avoid the crash and find a way through the peloton in the final kilometre to win the stage. Despite losing Kuznetsov and Rik Zabel in the finale of the stage, Marcel Kittel found a way through to the front and used a late burst of speed to finish second. Caleb Ewan (Mitchelton-Scott) was third.

Kuznetsov was clearly in pain after the crash and was unable to move due to his injuries. He was immobilised by race doctors and taken to hospital. He was officially classified as finishing last on the stage but Katusha-Alpecin confirmed that his injuries would prevent him from riding Tuesday’s time trial stage.

Cyclingnews will have daily live coverage of the BinckBank Tour.

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