Trek-Segafredo teammates Jasper Steuben, Cohen de Corto, and Edward Zaunce crashed on a deep graveled corner on stage 3 of the Volta ao Algarve.
Trek-Segafredo confirmed that all three riders suffered bruises and abrasions but were able to continue the race and line up for the start of stage 4 on Saturday.
"Initial report on the condition of the crashed riders: Jasperstuyven, koendekort and EdwardTheuns have bruises and abrasions but will be able to continue the race. Trek Segafredo said on Twitter, "Further evaluation may be needed.
The crash occurred on a 90-degree left turn through a roundabout and median with 25km to go. The accident sent all three Trek-Segafredo riders to the ground. Stuyven appeared to have suffered the worst fall, but several minutes passed before everyone was back on their bikes.
Once up and running, the three riders rolled to the finish and were unable to compete in the final. They finished as the last three riders of the day, more than 12 minutes behind.
However, their teammate Ryan Mullen, usually part of the leadout, finished sixth in Tavira behind stage winner Cece Boll (Sunweb).
In a post-race interview, Mullen commented that he saw his teammates Steuben, De Corto, and Tuens crash on a patch of gravel less than 20 km from the finish, but managed to avoid crashing.
"Somehow I had room to turn right and keep it upright.
"In the final, me and Jasper were going to try something, but after the crash they didn't come back.
"I was alone and feeling good. My positioning was good and I followed the right team. Inside the final K I couldn't move any further, so I was in a good position at the last corner. I'm not a pure sprinter, so I hung on to my position and tried to pass as many guys as I could before the line.
"It's a shame I fell, but I hope it doesn't affect my preparation for the Classic.
In a post on Twitter, Dan Martin of the Israeli Startup Nation expressed concern about the deep gravel patches on the course and said he reported them to UCI officials before the race.
"Spoke to @UCI_cycling commissaries at the start today about the countless patches of deep gravel on the course. Seems like Trek riders and @Guillaumeboivin didn't see any crashed gravel. Hope everyone is ok.
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