It was not the expected end for Rigoberto Urán this Sunday at Liège-Bastogne-Liege 2022. The cyclist from Urrao, Antioquia, was involved in the fall of at least 25 riders in the absence of 60 kilometers to the finish line along with most of his team, the EF Education-EasyPost.
The accident occurred on a stretch in which the road was shrinking, so, in the middle of the repositioning, a cyclist lost his balance in the front of the pack. With this one, several runners also went to the floor, thus causing a big cut. Frenchman Julian Alaphilippe, another candidate for victory, had to retire due to such a mishap.
When the transmission cameras focused on the group of affected people, Urán could be seen outside the road corridor, where there was a pasture. The Colombian took off his helmet and waited for the help of the squad's car. In the official race report it appeared that 'Rigo' had returned to the platoon, however, before the end of the race, it was reported that the platoon had dropped out.
Don't miss: Colombians Daniel Martínez and Sergio Higuita finished in the top 5 of the Liège-Bastogne-Liege
Through his Instagram account, the 'coffee man' athlete explained that most of the American team could not finish the race because of the multiple clash. In addition to Antioquia, Simon Carr (United Kingdom), Ben Healy (Ireland), Ruben Guerreiro (Portugal) and Odd Christian Eiking (Norway) were also harmed.
“That's how we ended the Liege-Bastogne-Liege, busted the whole team. A fallen daughter wiped us out. We were all turned crap, everyone,” said the 'Urrao bull' in the first instance while showing the injuries suffered by several of his teammates.
Later, 'Rigo' explained that he was on his way to the hotel “with a cut of nothing”. He added: “The pain I have in my back is wonderful. Anyway, I tell you one thing, the cyclists who are so brave. We are crazy, yes, we risk too much, roads sometimes very narrow... and that's what you experience in races, sometimes it's up to you.”
The winner, after 257.2 kilometers, was the Belgian Remco Evenepoe l (Quick-Step), who, at the age of 22, added his first monument in cycling.
Colombians Daniel Felipe Martínez (INEOS Grenadiers) and Sergio Higuita also promised to provide a show and they did so. The national duo came very close to scoring the first podium for the country in the history of this race; however, Belgians Quinten Hermans (Intermarché) and Wout van Aert (Jumbo-Visma) closed their chances, finishing second and third, respectively.
Let us remember that Rigoberto Urán came from playing the Walloon Arrow, in Belgium, just a few days ago, finishing in 42nd position. Previously, he had also been present in the Tour of the Basque Country, being tenth in the overall standings, and in the Tyrrhenian-Adriatic, culminating in box 14.
So far it is unknown whether the blow he suffered to the back will change his schedule in the face of the Tour de France, his main goal of the season. For next Tuesday, April 26, he was scheduled to perform at the T Tour de Romandí, a week-long competition on Swiss roads; and then he would compete on the Occitanie Route (June 16).
1. Remco Evenepoel (Bélgica/Quick-Step) - 6:12:38″
2. Quinten Hermans (Belgium/Intermarché) - 0:48 ″
3. Wout van Aert (Bélgica/Jumbo-Visma) - m.t.
4. Daniel Felipe Martinez (Colombia/INEOS Grenadiers) - m.t.
5. Sergio Higuita (Colombia/Bora - Hansgrohe) - m.t.
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