When I was lying on the floor today following the mass crash during the fourth stage of the Tour of Spain from Venlo to Liege, I felt like a boxer after the knockout blow. All I could see was stars. Luckily I was wearing a helmet when I was involved in the crash 2.8 km before the finish.

After a 180-degree turn and an attempt to ride backwards, I finally landed on my right hip and hit the back of my head hard. The helmet has had it.

And as I stand at the airport and wait for the flight to Spain, I can feel my neck getting stiffer and stiffer. Thankfully tomorrow is a rest day.

Even if I am afraid that my head and neck won't be the only things to hurt tomorrow. I am glad that, from Thursday, the race will take place in Spain.

The narrow streets in the Netherlands demanded the highest level of concentration. Riding at the front of the pack conserved energy ' and was less dangerous.

After the day I've had, it's a blessing that I can go into the rest day with the leader's jersey, although I would probably have been able to defend it even without the three-kilometre rule (when crashes occur during the last three kilometres, all riders are awarded the same time). I am feeling better with every kilometre I ride.

We'll see what Thursday's stage brings, which will involve a distance of 174 kilometres from Tarragona to Vinaròs. Yours, Fabian.