4th August 2018
Movistar Team climber down into pile-up just before Spanish race’s final loop; examinations confirm injury to spinous process of lumbar vertebra L1, which will require 2 to 3 weeks of absolute rest.
A mass crash into the main bunch hit the Movistar Team hard during the late phase of the 2018 Clásica San Sebastián. Just after the non-categorized Alto de Miracruz and prior to the first passage through the finish in the Boulevard, 19km from the end, a touch of wheels between two riders caused a pile-up involving three of the Blues: Víctor de la Parte, Nelson Oliveira and, most seriously, Mikel Landa.
The Basque climber, always conscious and stable yet unable to move because of huge pain due to a lumbar traumatism, was immobilized with a neck brace by the race’s medical service, then moved by ambulance to the Donostia Hospital. Extensive examinations undergone by Landa point towards a fracture without displacement of the spinous process in his lumbar vertebra L1. Mikel will be examined again on Sunday to confirm the diagnosis and proceed with his release from hospital. As he returns home, Landa will require two to three weeks of absolute rest to heal the fracture.
The race’s outcome thus became the least important matter of the day for the Movistar Team, with Andrey Amador as top Blue performer, 2’22” behind the leading duo with Julian Alaphilippe (QST, 1st) and Bauke Mollema (TFS, 2nd). Before that, the Costa Rican had been one of several moves on the attack, with Winner Anacona and Rafa Valls as most active from the Eusebio Unzué-led squad.
