Mark Cavendish finished in the chase group for stage 4 of the UAE Tour with Jebel Jaisse, crashing badly with 130km to go.

The Quick Step Alfa Vinyl rider crashed at speed after the peloton went around a roundabout.

Cavendish was forced to turn left after another rider may have made contact with his shoulder due to a speed bump. He then hit his right shoulder hard and also hit his head.

Fortunately, his helmet absorbed most of the impact of the crash. However, Cavendish was slow to get up and was checked by the race doctor.

Quick-Step Alfa Vinyl later confirmed to Cycling News that Cavendish was checked at a hotel after the stage and suffered only minor injuries. On Thursday morning, the Belgian team confirmed that Cavendish would continue racing.

"Despite yesterday's big crash, after consulting with the medical team overnight and this morning, we have decided to take the start line for stage 5 of the #UAETour. We wish Mark well."

It remains to be seen if Cavendish will be able to contest the expected sprint finish on Al Marjan Island.

The UCI introduced a concussion protocol starting in 2021 to quickly detect signs of injury, but Cavendish was deemed safe to continue racing.

He eventually returned to the peloton with teammate and lead-out man Michael Morkov, who also crashed and was seen talking to teammates and other riders during the remaining stages.

Cavendish left the peloton early in the 20km climb to Jebel Jais, but later joined a group of riders that included Morkov and new British teammate Ethan Vernon, and stage winner and new race leader Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) by 17:20.

Many of Cavendish's sprint rivals finished further back as they tried to save their legs for the sprint finishes on Al Marjan Island on Thursday and in Dubai on Friday.