Lidl-Trek issue medical update on Jonathan Milan after UAE Tour crash

In the statement after Monday's stage, Lidl-Trek said: “Fortunately an initial clinical assessment after the finish of UAE Tour stage 1 did not reveal any fractures but Jonny’s injuries, notably across his right hand, left elbow and hip, and right knee, will continue to be monitored this evening and heading into tomorrow’s second stage.”

Milan went down in a crash just outside the final kilometre on the opening day, a nervy finish that also derailed the expected sprint outcome. 

On the lightly rising run in to Liwa Palace, Isaac del Toro (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) surprised the fast men by launching a late acceleration on the finishing straight and holding off a fast closing Cees Bol (Decathlon) to take the stage win, with Antonio Tiberi (Bahrain Victorious) finishing third.

Tomorrow the UAE Tour will continue with a 12.2 km individual time trial on Al Hudayriyat Island.

Milan's is not the first setback Lidl-Trek have suffered at the start of the season. Recently, Mads Pedersen fractured his collarbone and wrist in a crash on the opening day of the Volta Comunitat Valenciana.

Speaking on his Long Distance podcast on Monday morning, Pedersen ruled out participation in Paris-Nice and suggested he was also highly unlikely to ride Milan San Remo as he recovers from his injuries. He warned that any further setbacks could put the rest of his classics season in jeopardy.

Another Dane from the team’s Classics group is also on the sidelines after a crash. Søren Kragh Andersen suffered a muscle contusion in a crash at the Tour de La Provence last week.