In a dramatic finale at the Clásica de Almería on February 15, 2026, Belgian sprinter Arnaud De Lie of Lotto-Intermarché collided with NSN’s Lewis Askey during the closing sprint. Askey, who had been leading out teammate Biniam Girmay, attempted to rejoin the lead-out train after his turn at the front. However, his reduced speed obstructed De Lie’s path, leading to a shoulder-to-shoulder contact that caused Askey to unclip and nearly crash. De Lie managed to stay upright and finished the race in sixth place. (cyclingnews.com)
After the incident, De Lie commented, “It was him or me, and I was lucky to stay on the bike.” He also expressed satisfaction with his performance, stating, “I was very good,” despite a delayed season start due to an ankle injury sustained in late December. (cyclingnews.com)
The race was won by Eritrean cyclist Biniam Girmay, who completed the 190-kilometer course in 4 hours, 10 minutes, and 36 seconds, averaging 45.419 km/h. Milan Fretin of Cofidis and Matteo Moschetti of Pinarello finished second and third, respectively. (it.wikipedia.org)
This incident highlights the intense competition and high stakes in professional cycling, where split-second decisions and positioning can significantly impact race outcomes.