Concerns that Theo Bos might have suffered serious injury in a crash during Thursday’s fifth stage of the Tour of Qatar proved unfounded, with medical scans showing that the Dutchman had not fractured any bones.
Bos fell 85 kilometres after the start at Al Zabara Fort and was forced to abandon the race.
“It was a bad day for us today and we are not happy with the result,” said directeur sportif J.P Heynderickx, speaking soon after the Norwegian rider Alexander Kristoff (Katusha) nabbed his third stage win of the race.
“Unluckily Theo Bos was involved in a crash just before the first sprint of the day. He hit the deck hard and had to be taken off to hospital. Hopefully there is nothing broken but we should hear from the doctors soon.”
Clarification came later on and the team was able to breath a sigh of relief.
“Theo had a fall today after being forced into some gravel on the side of the road. He sustained injuries to his right elbow, right hip and right knee,” said team doctor Jarrad van Zuydam.
“Thankfully, x-rays revealed no fractures but his wounds were deep and required several sutures. He will be released from the hospital this evening.”
However, releasing a photo which emphasised the severity of the crash, the rider said that his racing programme would be disrupted.
Crashed today on gravel, needed some stitches. No Oman unfortunately. pic.twitter.com/m8tr1wid2l
— Theo Bos (@theo_bos) February 12, 2015
Bos is an important part of the team’s campaign for 2015, with the sprinter likely to be one of the riders selected for its debut Tour de France.
He is one of several new signings to the team.