EF-Education EasyPost lose Costa, Van den Berg to injuries at Volta ao Algarve

Marijn van den Berg during the Volta ao Algarve (Image credit: Getty Images)

It might as well have been Friday the 13th for EF Education-EasyPost this week as the team lost two riders at the Volta ao Algarve to crash injuries.

Worst off was former world champion Rui Costa, who crashed heavily with 70km to go on stage 3 and was diagnosed with a broken right scapula and collarbone and a concussion.

The team's Dutch sprinter Marijn van den Berg also crashed during the stage and was initially cleared to continue racing but then displayed concussion-like symptoms and was taken out of the race.

"He is now in the team’s internal concussion protocol and will return to light training when cleared," the team wrote on its social media channels. "We wish them both safe and swift recoveries."

Van den Berg was second on the opening stage behind Gerben Thijssen (Intermarché-Wanty) and landed on the podium at the last day of racing in the Challenge Mallorca in January.

TOPICS

Laura Weislo is a Cyclingnews veteran of 20 years. Having joined in 2006, Laura extensively covered the Operacion Puerto doping scandal, the years-long conflict between the UCI and the Tour de France organisers ASO over the creation of the WorldTour, and the downfall of Lance Armstrong and his lifetime ban for doping. As Managing Editor, Laura coordinates coverage for North American events and global news.