Thomas De Gendt (Lotto Doustony) admitted fault for the crash in which Trek-Segafredo's overall contender Matthias Skjelmors crashed on the Col de la Cuillol climb in the final Paris-Nice race on Saturday.

However, after de Gendt's apology, the athletes showed good will and sportsmanship on social media, and there were no hard feelings.

"I hit the rear wheel of Luis Leon Sanchez and crashed hard. 'I'm sorry to the rider I crashed with. It was my fault. I am waiting for the doctor's diagnosis. More details will follow."

Shortly after de Gendt issued his apology, Skelmose, who according to Trek-Segafredo needed stitches for an eyebrow wound, said, "Shit happens.

Sanchez also told de Gendt after the stage, "I hope it's nothing.

The crash forced de Gendt and Skelmose out of the race, leaving Trek's Julien Bernard and Sanchez to finish the stage.

Lot Destney later announced that de Gendt had suffered multiple abrasions and would return to Belgium for tests.

"I forgot how painful the crash was. The last crash I can remember was in 2018. So much so that I had to ask the bus driver what the others did in the shower to clean the wounds," de Gendt later wrote.

The crash occurred just before the start of the 15.7 km climb of the Col de la Cuillol.

Trek-Segafredo had hoped to move up from 13th to third in the young rider rankings, 2:06 behind Paris-Nice leader Tadey Pogachar (UAE Team Emirates). Instead, the Dane left the race with scrapes, bruises, and cuts on his face, knee, and shoulder. There were no signs of concussion from the hard fall, but the team will monitor him.