Marius Mayrhofer suffers multiple fractures in crash at Tour Down Under

Marius Mayrhofer's cycling season has started on a sour note. The German crashed forty kilometers from the finish of the first road stage of the Tour Down Under and was too bruised to continue. The damage to the Tudor rider is substantial.

Medical examinations have revealed that Mayrhofer has sustained fractures in his right collarbone, shoulder blade, and ribs. His team further announces that surgery is not necessary. "Marius will return to Europe in the coming days, where he will begin his rehabilitation program, starting with physiotherapy."

The 25-year-old Mayrhofer has been riding for the Swiss team Tudor Pro Cycling since 2024; before that, he raced for Team DSM. His palmarès currently includes two professional victories. Coincidentally, his first win also came on Australian soil: in 2023, he won the Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race.

Mayrhofer was not the only rider to crash on Wednesday at the Tour Down Under. Max van der Meulen had a heavy fall earlier in the stage. The young Dutchman remained on the ground after the crash and appeared seriously hurt. A teammate was clearly concerned for Van der Meulen, who was eventually taken to the hospital by ambulance.

It is still unclear whether the climber sustained serious injuries from his fall, but his team Bahrain Victorious confirmed via social media that the 22-year-old rider is conscious.