The fourth stage of the Tour Down Under for Jhonatan Narváez lasted only a couple of kilometers. The Ecuadorian UAE Team Emirates rider, winner of the Australian race in 2025, was involved in a crash while in the back of the group and was forced to withdraw.

The 28-year-old rider swerved and lost control of his bike, falling to the ground, possibly after hitting a concrete road divider in that section of the course.

Evidently in great pain, Narváez was assisted and shortly after loaded into an ambulance. On the social media of the Australian race, information then came that the athlete was subjected to a protocol for a suspected concussion.

UPDATE. Dr. Adrian Rotunno, medical director of UAE Emirates XRG Team, explains: "Unfortunately, Jhonatan Narváez and Vegard Stake Laengen were involved in two separate incidents in the fourth stage of the Tour Down Under. Narváez was taken to the hospital for a precautionary spinal and neurological evaluation. He has suffered several stable compression fractures of the thoracic vertebrae, which currently will not require surgical intervention. He is currently stable and will be kept in the hospital for further observation".

And further: "Laengen was also involved in a subsequent incident and was taken to the hospital for tests. He has a suspected rib injury, but is stable and will be further monitored in the coming days".