“It’s a miracle he was able to ride around me”: Pluimers laughs after crash and Van der Poel save at Omloop Het Nieuwsblad
Rick Pluimers suffered a frightening crash during Saturday’s Omloop Het Nieuwsblad, losing several teeth after hitting the cobblestones. Just two days later, however, the 25-year-old racer is focusing on the positive. “The damage isn’t as bad as it could have been,” Pluimers said, adding that he hopes to compete again at Paris-Nice.
A Little Too Eager
The fall occurred on a particularly challenging section of the course. “You know it’s going to be a key moment,” Pluimers explained.
He saw an opportunity as Florian Vermeersch created a compact gap. “Because a teammate of his was also heading out there. And I thought: Here’s the moment to close that gap.”
Instead of joining the group, he went down. “I think I was just a little too eager, or went into that corner with a bit too much power. My rear wheel lifted slightly, lost traction, and then I was going down.”
The impact was immediate. “I didn’t have a chance to brace myself. The first thing to hit the ground was my face.”
And before he could fully process what happened, he knew one thing for sure: “I immediately felt: my teeth are gone.”
Tietema to the Rescue
An ambulance was called after the crash, but it wasn’t dispatched immediately. “They said it wasn’t urgent enough. And, yes, that was probably true.”
Pluimers ultimately got a ride back to the finish line thanks to a fortunate encounter. “Bas Tietema happened to be riding by. So, I rode back with them. It was faster than waiting for the team car.”
Once in the team bus, things moved quickly. A team staff member already had a contact ready. “He said he’d already messaged his wife. She’s a dentist and could facilitate if needed. That’s when we decided to head there immediately.”
Pluimers is now able to laugh about the incident. “It looks a lot better than it did after the finish,” he said with a smile. “Once the teeth were fixed, it immediately felt a lot healthier.”
Van der Poel’s Incredible Save
Footage of the incident quickly spread online, particularly because of the remarkable way Mathieu van der Poel avoided colliding with Pluimers. Mathieu van der Poel’s quick thinking and skill were on full display.
When he saw the replay, Pluimers was stunned. “When you witness the footage… It’s a miracle he was able to ride around me.”
He was relieved he didn’t take anyone else down with him. “I was already happy that I didn’t bring anyone else down with my fall, and that I didn’t hinder him too much.”
It felt typical that it was Van der Poel who pulled off the maneuver. “It’s striking that it’s always Mathieu who can pull off such feats.”
The clip has been widely shared. “It came up pretty often on my Instagram,” he laughed.
Mathieu van der Poel skillfully avoids Rick Pluimers after the crash.
Looking Ahead to Paris-Nice
Beyond the lost teeth, the injuries were minor. “My shoulder is a bit sore and my hip is bothering me,” Pluimers said.
“Understandably, but thankfully it’s not serious. I have some scrapes on my face, but nothing major.”
“Thankfully, I don’t have any symptoms that suggest a concussion.”
The following day brought a boost for his team, as Tudor Cycling impressed with a strong showing. “I first thought we’d finish 4th and 5th, that’s great. And then you saw the photo finish: 2nd and 3rd!”
The damage is good enough to definitely start Paris-Nice.
Rick Pluimers
Pluimers was encouraged by his team’s performance after his dramatic Saturday. “It was a really nice turnaround for the team. And it was good for me to see them turn it around like that.”
And Pluimers himself? He’s looking ahead. His race schedule remains unchanged. “The damage is good enough to definitely start Paris-Nice.”
A relief for the 25-year-old rider and his support team. “They were just happy to see that I could still laugh.”
