Romele accepts responsibility for Vuelta crash that left Van Boven with collapsed lung

Alessandro Romele (XDS Astana) has accepted responsibility and the yellow card he received for the crash that forced Luca Van Boven (Lotto-Intermarché) out of the Vuelta a España, describing it as a racing incident, and confirmed he has spoken to the injured Belgian.

Van Boven suffered two broken ribs and a collapsed lung in the crash during Friday’s seventh stage after Romele lost his balance and made contact with the Belgian, forcing him off the road and onto the pavement and into the side of a building.

Despite his injuries, Van Boven was able to finish the stage, more than 33 minutes behind stage winner Andreas Leknessund. However, Lotto-Intermarché confirmed post-stage that he would remain in hospital overnight, and not take to the start of stage 8.

Speaking to Domestique before the start of stage 8, Romele explained the incident and accepted the yellow card he received and responsibility for what happened.

“Like they say in F1, it was a racing incident, a moment in which the peloton was quite relaxed, and we were going quite slowly,” Romele told Domestique. “I lost control of my bike a bit on a speed bump and that caused me to veer to the right, just as Luca was coming up after taking on bottles to service his teammates."

“It also wasn’t an ideal moment for him to pass, given that we were coming up to a right-hand turn, but I take the responsibility. I accept the card, it’s right that it was given.”

After hearing that Van Boven had been taken to hospital, Romele contacted the Belgian directly to clear the air. 

“I heard that Luca was going to hospital, so I got his number and I spoke to him, and he understood the situation, that it was an accident. It wasn’t something that was done on purpose and he understood that he was in the wrong place at the wrong time.”

“We spoke and cleared the air, and I’m very happy about that because the most important thing is to clear things up between you as riders.”

With Romele receiving a yellow card as a result of the incident, he will have to be vigilant for the remaining stages. 

“Having a yellow card isn’t something that helps you, but I’m a calm guy and what happened yesterday was an episode that doesn’t represent who I am. I’m at peace with myself,” he said.

“I know how I am, how I ride and how I think. The important thing is to have a clear head and not to have external pressure. Yes, we’ll definitely have to pay more attention because of the card, but we’ll try to manage the remaining weeks.”

The Italian was asked if his head is ready for the likely sprint finish in Xeraco on Saturday’s stage, after he finished 4th on stage 5 in Roquetes behind Matthew Brennan (Visma | Lease a Bike).

“We’re here to do the best we can,” he confirmed.