Updated 00.54
DUTCH CYCLIST ANNEMIEK van Vleuten had built herself a clear lead with 11 miles to go in the women’s cycling road race today, but a horrific crash on a downhill bend leaves her hospitalised tonight.
Footage of riders passing the scene gave cause for concern for Van Vleuten as she appeared to be lying prone on the roadside. The Dutch cycling federation tweeted that Van Vleuten ‘appears to be okay‘ soon after the conclusion of the race.
Tonight, they issued an update stating that the 33-year-old is speaking and lucid, but remains in intensive care, suffering a heavy concussion and “three small fractures in her lumbar spine”.
It was another Netherlands rider who went on to claim gold. 26-year-old Anna van der Breggen chased down American Mara Abbott, who held a 40-second advantage after Van Vleuten’s crash, before winning a thrilling sprint.
Abbott was forced into fourth place as she was unable to last the pace of the final sprint. Elisa Longo Borghini was the first to take over the lead in the final push, but finished up third behind Sweden’s Emma Johansson.
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