UAE confirm broken collarbone for Tim Wellens after heavy Kuurne crash

In the race, won by Matthew Brennan, Wellens was among a number of riders involved as the pace lifted heading into the hill zone around the midpoint of the race. The 34-year-old Belgian rider slid into a roadside ditch and although he was quickly back on his feet, the impact was obvious. He climbed back up the verge in visible discomfort, threw away his helmet in distress and was seen walking gingerly while holding his collarbone. His abandonment was confirmed shortly afterwards.

After the race, UAE Team Emirates-XRG issued a medical update that clarified the full extent of Wellens’ injury.

Dr Adrian Rotunno, Medical Director, said: “Unfortunately Tim Wellens sustained a right clavicle fracture from his crash today. He will undergo surgery this evening before beginning a recovery period at home under the supervision of team medical staff.”

The update provides clarity after the initial uncertainty at the roadside, but it also raises immediate questions about Wellens’ spring programme. The Belgian champion had started 2026 strongly with victory at the Clásica Jaén and was expected to play an important role in UAE's Classics plans. Wellens had been set to support Tadej Pogačar at Milan San Remo, across the cobbled Classics and in the Ardennes. 

Earlier this season, Pogačar also lost another key lieutenant when Jhonatan Narváez sustained several stable thoracic vertebrae compression fractures at the Tour Down Under.