Become a Member

Get access to more than 30 brands, premium video, exclusive content, events, mapping, and more.

Already have an account? Sign In

Become a Member

Get access to more than 30 brands, premium video, exclusive content, events, mapping, and more.

Already have an account? Sign In

Brands

News

Hodeg to undergo surgery following multiple injuries sustained at Tour de l’Eurometropole

Use of safety barriers with protruding feet draws criticism from other riders.

Heading out the door? Read this article on the new Outside+ app available now on iOS devices for members! Download the app.

Deceuninck-Quick-Step confirmed Sunday that Alvaro Hodeg sustained multiple injuries during a crash in the final kilometer of Belgian one-day race Tour de l’Eurometropole.

Just two days after winning the Münsterland Giro, the 23-year-old sprinter was left with a left forearm fracture, right shoulder fracture, and two fractured ribs after crashing heavily as the peloton charged toward a sprint finish on Saturday.

The Colombian clipped the protruding feet of a safety barrier as he exited a bend leading into the finish straight and came down in dramatic fashion. He was taken directly to hospital from the race.

Deceuninck-Quick-Step confirmed that Hodeg was safe and stable, and will undergo shoulder surgery on Sunday.

Matteo Trentin (Mitchelton-Scott), who didn’t race at the Tour de l’Eurometropole, criticized the use of barriers with protruding feet on Saturday night, saying “they should be banned EVERYWHERE!” Jacopo Guarnieri (Groupama-FDJ) also took to Twitter to criticize their use.

The use of barriers with protruding feet has been a contentious issue for many years after similar crashes have occurred.

Sam Bennett (Bora-Hansgrohe) also spoke out on Twitter after their use in August’s Binck Bank Tour, asking: “I’d love to know the thought process behind those barriers before 200m to go! This sport is dangerous enough, we race above 60kmh in a final like this. It is not acceptable!”

Hodeg, who is in his second full year of WorldTour racing, was enjoying a strong season, with stage wins at the Tour of Norway, Binck Bank Tour, and Tour of Colombia.

An American in France

What’s it like to be an American cyclist living in France? Watch to get professional road cyclist Joe Dombrowski’s view.

Keywords: