Steven Kruijswijk crashed hard during the fourth stage of the Giro d'Italia today en route to Mount Etna. Team LottoNL-Jumbo’s returned with the help of his team-mates and finished 15th, but with the group of favourites. Slovenian Jan Polanc won the first summit finish stage and Bob Jungels took the leader’s pink jersey.

"I've crashed hard," said Kruijswijk. "It was at a very bad moment. I don’t know exactly what happened, but part of the peloton went to the other side. Before I knew it, I was on the ground."

Kruijswijk was in front with his team-mates when he went down at 19 kilometres from the finish, just before the climb to Etna began.

"We were good in the front and you think you're out of trouble. Nevertheless, you crash and then it's getting your bike as fast as possible to go again. The boys helped me well. Such a crash is never good, but fortunately, it's mostly some abrasions and I could go on.

"In a grand tour everything has to be smooth and that isn’t the case right now. I hope that will turn around soon."

Road captain Bram Tankink sat close to his team leader when the crash happened.

"It's not nice when you see it," said Tankink. "Some of the peloton went straight and we followed. Fortunately, we were able to fix it and when the climb really started, he was back in the peloton. It's good to hear that he eventually finished in the group of favourites."

‘He’s angry now, and that’s good’

"I'm glad he's angry now. That's a better emotion than hanging his head," said Sports Director Addy Engels just after he had saw Kruijswijk arrive at the team’s bus. "We must now see what exactly the injuries are.

"You cannot do anything else. The riders were cut off and Steven crashed. He was on the ground, but one has to jump up and continue at that point."

Kruijswijk was supported by his team-mates and he was soon back in the peloton. Engels praised the men in yellow and black on their efforts.

“For those men, it cost much energy. Ultimately, the result on the line was not bad, but of course, we only hoped it was without losing any skin."