Remco Evenepoel out of the Ardennes Classics following Itzulia Basque Country crash

Remco Evenepoel (Soudal Quick-Step) has been diagnosed with a fractured right collarbone and scapula following a major crash on stage 4 of the Itzulia Basque Country.

The Belgian was one of 12 riders to hit the deck inside the final 40km of stage when riders appeared to hit a large bump in the road while descending through a corner at speed.

Evenepoel avoided the large concrete gutter that many riders hit but crashed into the grass verge to the left side of the road. He was able to get to his feet but was soon taken to hospital for scans.

"Following the crash during Thursday’s stage 4 of Itzulia Basque Country, Remco Evenepoel was taken to hospital, for medical examination," the team said in a statement.

"There it was revealed that the Belgian Champion suffered a fracture to his right collarbone and his right scapula. Remco will travel to Belgium on Friday, where he will undergo an operation on his collarbone, and further examination, at the hospital in Herentals. Further updates will be given in due course."

The former world champion was scheduled to race the Ardennes Classics later this month but with Amstel Gold Race just ten days away that part of his season now looks lost. A return for Flèche Wallonne (April 17) and Liège-Bastogne-Liège (April 21) also looks impossible given the time Evenepoel is likely to need at this point.

The Belgian wasn't the only major team leader with Tour de France aspirations to crash in the same incident, with two-time Tour de winner Jonas Vingegaard (Visma-Lease a Bike) leaving the race on a stretcher before being diagnosed with a broken collarbone and several broken ribs.