Oscar Onley out of Tour Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes as Geraint Thomas reveals injuries from 'drop into ravine'

Oscar Onley has withdrawn from the Tour Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes following a dramatic crash on stage 6, where he tumbled into a ravine but managed to complete the stage despite significant injuries. The Netcompany-Ineos rider, who was third overall at the start of the day, was absent from the final climb, sparking concern among his team and rivals. Although Onley finished the stage nearly half an hour behind the leaders, he decided not to start stage 7 and is now undergoing medical examinations to assess the full extent of his injuries. Team director Geraint Thomas provided details on Onley’s condition, revealing that the young Scot suffered a dislocated shoulder and a knee injury described as “a bit of a chunk out of his knee.” Thomas explained that Onley had gone over the edge of the road during a left-hand corner but was fortunate to avoid more serious harm. While the dislocation and knee damage are serious, Thomas remains cautiously optimistic about Onley’s recovery and potential participation in upcoming events, including the Tour de France. Despite finishing the stage, the injuries could affect Onley’s preparation and form ahead of cycling’s marquee event. A dislocated shoulder can sometimes be quickly remedied, but the severity of the knee injury remains unclear. Thomas emphasised the importance of medical scans to determine the recovery timeline and expressed hope that Onley could join the team’s training camp and continue his rehabilitation without significant physical setbacks. This incident marks another setback in what has been a frustrating debut season for Onley with Netcompany-Ineos. He has struggled with multiple crashes and illnesses, failing to complete three of the five stage races he has entered. The Tour Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes had been seen as a crucial opportunity for Onley to build momentum ahead of the Tour de France, especially after a promising start to the race. Thomas highlighted the difficulty for Onley, who has yet to fully showcase his potential due to these recurring interruptions.