Uijtdebroeks seems to avoid fracture, but ruled out of Volta a la Comunitat Valenciana

The 22-year-old Belgian, riding his first race for Movistar after his transfer from Visma | Lease a Bike, was caught up in a crash with around 50km to go on the run in to San Vicente del Raspeig. Teammate Iván Romeo and Giulio Pellizzari of Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe were also involved. All three managed to get back on and finish the stage.

Uijtdebroeks came home 113th, around ten minutes down on stage winner August. After the finish, he was seen climbing into an ambulance and told Sporza: “I feel something in my hand.”

Movistar team director Jurgen Roelandts told HLN he feared a fracture. “After the crash, Cian could no longer hold his handlebars because of pain in his left wrist and left elbow,” he said. “We’re having X-rays taken at the hospital now, but we fear there may be a small fracture in the wrist.”

The team confirmed on Saturday morning that fractures had been discovered, and that he would not continue in the race.

"Following the fall suffered yesterday, during the 3rd stage of the Volta a la Comunitat Valenciana. The Belgian rider is experiencing severe pain in his wrist, with no evidence of bone injury. His participation in today's stage has been ruled out."

Whether he can stick to his planned schedule remains unclear. A training camp at altitude was due to begin next week as part of his build up to Paris-Nice, Itzulia Basque Country and the Ardennes Classics.