There are fears that Visma-Lease a Bike could lose yet another important Tour de France rider in the lead to the race after Edoardo Affini crashed heavily in the elite men's time trial at the Italian National Championships.
The 30-year-old crashed around 6km into the 40km effort, which was eventually won by Filippo Ganna (Netcompany Ineos). Italian journalist Stefano Rizzato reported that he had to be taken away in an ambulance, though he was conscious.
Visma confirmed on Thursday evening that the Italian was taken to hospital and never lost consciousness.
"Examinations at the hospital showed that no fractures were sustained," the team said. "Over the coming days, his recovery will be monitored."
Despite Visma's statement, there are still questions over exactly what injuries Affini may have suffered, especially after TV footage emerged of the crash. The race was not broadcast live but was shown on Eurosport on a delay, where TV images did not catch the crash itself, but did show its aftermath.
The footage shows Affini's bike and helmet being retrieved from over a guardrail, where it appears that he crash on a downhill section, likely at very high speeds. Viewers can also see that his front tyre has come off the rim in the accident.
LA CADUTA di affini ... i pochi secondi successivi al fatto !tratti dalla differita ... adesso con animo più tranquillo si possono vedere ...#eurosportciclismo pic.twitter.com/hEpCh7LfJzJune 25, 2026
Affini is set to line up at the Tour de France in Barcelona as part of Jonas Vingegaard's Tour de France support squad, where he would be a key part of the opening team time trial and an important helper and workhorse on the flat.
Visma's Tour team has already taken several blows before the Tour has even begun, with Christophe Laporte missing the race, and then Wout van Aert ruled out more recently due to an elbow infection.
They have drafted in replacements, most notably in Davide Piganzoli, but are lacking on the horsepower front, which is important for the flat and transitional stages, as well as any windy or tense moments. There was no rider in Visma's roster who could replicate Affini's time trialing strength if he is deemed unfit for the Tour.
Even if Affini can start the Tour next Saturday, a crash bad enough to require an ambulance is never good just a week before a Grand Tour, and even the smallest ache or pain could weaken him, especially in what will be a highly important TTT in Barcelona.
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