'Feel like Mike Tyson punched me in the back' – Ben Turner dusts himself off after bizarre somersault crash at In Flanders Fields

Ben Turner of INEOS Grenadiers endured a spectacular, if unfortunate, somersault crash during the In Flanders Fields race, approximately 50km from the finish. The British rider, who later quipped he felt like "Mike Tyson punched me in the back," managed to remount and finish the race, albeit well down the standings. Despite the dramatic tumble, Turner expressed optimism about his form for upcoming events, highlighting his resilience after such a jarring incident.

This incident marks another setback in what has been a challenging season for Turner, who has shown flashes of brilliance in the Classics but has also been plagued by crashes and injuries. His ability to finish the race, despite the severity of the fall, speaks to the grit often required in professional cycling, especially during the demanding cobbled season. For INEOS, it’s a reminder of the fine line between aggression and disaster in these high-stakes races, as they continue to search for consistent results in the spring.

Turner's immediate focus on "what's possible" rather than the pain is a classic rider's response. One can only hope his body agrees with his ambition, as the cobbled season waits for no man.