The Mitchelton-Scott stable announces that Mezgec will not have to operate the injury without it healing itself. Several cyclists with the ambition to advance far in total in the competition were also involved in the crash. Two Alejandro Valverde rolled to the finish in slow motion and took the time to talk to the media. As the crash occurred within 3 km of the finish in central Oviedo, hit riders got the same time as the winner.
- It was a finish uphill and it got hot. Two cyclists huddled in each other and everyone walked on the slopes. I'm okay but my wrists hurt a lot, though it's not that bad. I hope it will not affect me in the coming stages, says Valverde according to Cyclingnews.
Trean Tadej Pogacar was bleeding from an elbow after the crash, which he described as "severe".
- I do not know what happened, all of a sudden everyone was on the ground, says the 20-year-old who made a sensation in Vueltan.
Mezgec's and Pogacar's Slovenian compatriot, overall leader Primoz Roglic, was a hair moan from being dragged into the crash but put down a foot and could parry a fall.
- It was a nervous and quick ending. Fortunately, I managed to avoid falling, says Roglic to his own stable Jumbo Visma.
The Irishman Sam Bennett won the stage after being clearly strongest up the last bit, where the sprinters did not manage to keep pace.
The Veltan looks to be a major breakthrough for Slovenian cycling.
Two tough mountain stages await during the Sunday and Monday before there will be a rest day on Tuesday. The competition has a finish in Madrid next Sunday.