Jay Vine finishes fifth in time trial at cycling world championships after crash

Another crash in a year where this Aussie has had a few cost him a spot on the podium at the cycling world championships in Switzerland.

Jay Vine crashed during the time trial at the world championships in Zurich, Switzerland. Picture: Dario Belingheri/Getty Images

A “silly mistake” left Australian cycling star Jay Vine battered and bloodied after a crash during the time trial at the world championships in Zurich.

The 2023 Australian national time trial champion was third in the standings and powering towards a potential podium finish with less than 10km of the 29.9km course to go.

But he took a corner too fast and crashed, badly.

The incident wasn’t picked up by TV cameras, but Vine finished the course showing the impact of the crash, with his face and hands bloodied and bruised as the 28-year-old crossed the line.

Looks like Jay Vine needed one or two stitches but it otherwise fine, that is good news! Hope mentally he stops beating himself up soon #Zurich2024#Vinepic.twitter.com/bxCpQPKZtD

— Tonke (@TonkeBerg) September 22, 2024

Despite the crash and his injuries, Vine still finished fifth and was left to curse what might have been, his time only half a minute down on the bronze medallist, Italy’s Edoardo Affini.

“It’s gut wrenching to think what could have been,” wrote Vine later on social media, while offering up no specifics of his injuries.

“Silly mistake on a non technical section of the course cost me potentially the bronze medal.

“I just went into a corner faster than I did in the course recon and ran out of road. Simple as that.

“I’m going to be beating myself up about this one for a while. Heart broken. 5th place is still good, but for the time being I’m gutted. Sorry team, I really tried.”

There’s yet to be confirmation on Vine competing in either the mixed team relay on Wednesday or Sunday’s elite men’s road race.

Vine has had a year of crashes, including a serious fall during the Tour of the Basque Country in April that left him with spinal injuries and made him initially fear he would never walk again.

But the 28-year-old from Townsville pushed through rehab and went on to win the King of the Mountain jersey at Spain’s Grand Tour, La Vuelta, just a fortnight ago.

Originally published as Jay Vine finishes fifth in time trial at cycling world championships after crash