Spanish star Juan Ayuso crashed out of Paris-Nice on stage four on Wednesday, while in the lead, but suffered no “serious injuries”.
The Lidl-Trek rider was wearing the yellow jersey, having taken it on Tuesday in the stage three team time trial.
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However, his Lidl-Trek team later confirmed: “Fortunately X-rays performed at the hospital in France did not reveal any fractures for Ayuso. A further clinical assessment performed by the team doctor on-site at the Team hotel has also ruled out any other serious injuries. Juan will continue to monitored by the team’s medical staff & another update will be provided only if necessary.
The riders had just descended the first of three categorised climbs of the, the third-cat Côte de la Croix de Cerisiers, before embarking on two bigger ascents – a second and then a first-cat – that would decide the day’s result.
It will be a devastating blow to Ayuso, who is riding his first season for the German Lidl-Trek team and was enjoying a fine start. At the Volta ao Algarve – his only other race of the year – he won a stage and the GC and, up to now, Paris-Nice was looking good too.
