The BMC Racing Team lost Floris Gerts and Dylan Teuns to a crash Saturday at the Aviva Tour of Britain while Taylor Phinney withdrew from the race before the start.

The crash with Gerts and Teuns happened as the race diverted onto a runway at Wattisham Airfield for an intermediate sprint in the 224.1-kilometer race, the longest of the eight-day event.

"I hit a hole and lost hold of my handlebars because it was a really big hole," Teuns said. "I totally lost control so I did not have a chance. I just went to the ground."

Teuns landed on his head, as did Gerts, BMC Racing Team Dr. Scott Major said.

"Because of the concern about a head injury, we took them to the hospital as a precaution," Dr. Major said. "Neurologically, both riders are fine. But we are going to have them under close observation the next 24 hours."

Teuns was the more seriously injured of the two with abrasions on his left side and a large gash to his left elbow. X-rays on the elbow were negative, but Teuns did require some stitches to help close the wound, Dr. Major said.

Phinney did not start due to fatigue.

"It has been a hard race with long stages and long transfers," Dr. Major said. "Coming back from such a long layoff and injury and competing in his third straight stage race, we felt it was important for his worlds' preparation to get some much-needed rest and recovery."

Stefan Küng, who joins Danilo Wyss as the only two BMC Racing Team riders remaining in the race, also crashed Saturday in a separate incident. But the world individual pursuit champion was not seriously hurt.

BMC Racing Team Sport Director Fabio Baldato said it was unfortunate to lose Teuns - who had been sitting fifth overall - and Gerts, a stagiaire who had been as high as third place overall earlier in the week.

"Dylan was enjoying a good result for a young guy," Baldato said. "Now we will arrive in London with two guys. Fortunately, it looks like the injuries are not too bad. That is the only good thing."

André Greipel (Lotto Soudal) won Saturday's stage in a photo-finish with Elia Viviani (Team Sky) while Edvald Boasson Hagen (MTN-Qhubeka) held onto the overall lead.