Tinkoff-Saxo’s ambitions at the World Championships Team Time Trial took a tumble, as Michael Valgren and Michael Rogers crashed just before the second split time. Both riders have sustained significant skin wounds but were able to fight their way to the finish line in Richmond with their teammates, fortunately staying clear of any major injuries. BMC ultimately took the win.

Not hiding the fact that Sunday’s unfortunate turn of events left the squad gutted, team sports director Sean Yates confirms that the crash happened at 60km/h, as Valgren touched the wheel in front of him.

“We are all very disappointed after many days of perfect training and build-up. No one are blaming Valgren for the crash, as we all know that it’s something that can happen in these flat-out team time trials. We were approaching the second split time and Michael Valgren touched the wheel in front of him and that caused him to fall. Mick Rogers was on his wheel and they both hit the deck hard. They were moving at 60km/h so they naturally suffered a hard crash but nothing is, fortunately, broken”, says Sean Yates, who adds that the crash wasn’t the first thing to go wrong.

“The boys were on their way to a good split time. However, we had already lost Boaro to a mechanical after just one kilometer of racing. But with five strong guys left including Sagan and Bodnar, who were going like machines, they stood a chance of reaching a good result. Valgren had to make up a few meters after the final corner before the intermediate check and he was on his limit, as he got back up. That might have caused him to lose concentration for a second. So to sum up – nothing really went our way, it simply didn’t come together”.

After on-site treatment at the finish line and additional medical checks performed by the team doctor, it stands clear that both Rogers and Valgren have escaped from the hard crash without major injuries.

“Rogers and Valgren have both suffered superficial injuries but nothing is broken. It’s always going to hurt, when you crash at that kind of speed but we are naturally relived that both of them didn’t sustain any major injuries. Rogers is pretty cut up with a wound on his hand. A large part of Valgren’s shoulder is scratched up and his mood also took a tumble. It’s not the scenario we were hoping for, the boys were all very motivated and they had all approached this TTT in a really professional manner. Our preparations went smoothly but in the decisive moment it didn’t come together. Now, we just got to look forward”, finishes Sean Yates.