After a brilliant opening stage yesterday where he was part of an incredible success with Team dsm-firmenich, winning the opening team time trial at the Vuelta a España, today Oscar Onley unfortunately was forced to abandon the race. Involved in a crash, Onley hit the ground on a slippy corner. He was immediately checked over by the race doctor and was diagnosed with a suspected broken collarbone. After further medical examinations at hospital, a broken right collarbone was confirmed for Onley.
Onley said: “I’m really disappointed to leave the race and leave the boys. I think after yesterday we were all on such a high. Obviously today is a little disappointing but I’m looking forward to watching the boys over the next couple of weeks. I think with the spirit and the legs they’ve shown so far I think they can get some really nice results. Hopefully I can be back soon and also competing for some results as soon as possible.”
Team dsm-firmenich coach Phil West added: “Unfortunately we lost Oscar today, which is a real shame. He came out unlucky in a crash that could have ordinarily been quite innocuous. He was in really good shape and was strong in our team time trial yesterday. It was also obvious in the stage today that he was in good shape and feel he could have been a factor in the final today, which was also the plan. He’ll be sorely missed and the guys are disappointed he’s out, but these guys bounce back pretty well and Oscar’s motivated for what’s next; he just has to shake this off and move forwards. We’ll do our best with the rest of the guys here who are in good shape and we have 19 more stages to show ourselves.”
Team dsm-firmenich doctor Camiel Aldershof continued: “Oscar suffered a tough fall today and checks at hospital confirmed what we unfortunately suspected; a broken right collarbone alongside some minor abrasions. He will now head home, taking time to rest and recover, and we will continue to assess how that recovery is going before we make any future plans for his return to the bike.”
