Israel Start-Up Nation was one of the major victims of a massive crash with 12 kilometers to go in stage 5 of La Vuelta a España. Four of ISN’s riders hit the asphalt.
Itamar Einhorn, Sep Vanmarcke, Davide Cimolai, and Mads Würtz Schmidt, basically the whole ISN-sprint train, found themselves off the bike.
Einhorn, Vanmarcke, and Cimolai, are mostly suffering from wounds and bruises. “I have felt better before, but also worse,” Cimolai said after having his wounds treated by the doctor.
Würtz Schmidt, who raced today for the first time on his brand-new Danish champion Factor OSTRO Vam, had to visit the hospital for checks.
No fractures were found, however, Würtz Schmidt did suffer from multiple contusions. and skin abrasions. He will start stage six.
The race itself only unfolded slowly. In the first hour of racing, the peloton only covered 31 kilometers. Slowly, it upped the pace, especially when crosswinds in the last hour of racing risked endangering the sprinter teams’ opportunities.
Israel Start-Up Nation rode attentively, and maintained a good position, but was so unfortunate to be at the bad place at the worst possible time.
Earlier in the Vuelta, Alexander Cataford had to abandon, after breaking his collarbone in a crash in the second stage.
