Dutch cyclist involved in horrifying crash at the end of Olympic road race
The women's cycling road race course featured a grueling climb and a treacherous descent over the final 20 kilometers in rainy conditions - and the Dutch rider leading the race at the time suffered a horrifying crash that allowed her compatriot Anna van der Breggen to win the gold medal.
Rain made the descent even tougher than it was yesterday - multiple male riders were involved in hard crashes - and time trial champion Annemiek van Vleuten was in golden position until she lost control around a bend and flipped foward.
The Royal Dutch Cycling Union confirmed in a tweet that van Vleuten "appears to be okay," and race commentators later said that van Vleuten is conscious and has been transported to a hospital.
.@AvVleuten is conscious and can communicate. Further medical checks currently being made at the hospital #CyclingRoad
— UCIWomenCycling (@UCIWomenCycling) August 7, 2016
Via Reuters:
The lead went to American Mara Abbott, but she was caught by a three-woman chase in the final 100 meters. Absolutely spent, Abbott was unable to beat van der Breggen and fell off the podium entirely, finishing fourth.
Van Vleuten tweeted from the hospital Sunday night.
Thanks for all the messages! Congrats to @AnnavdBreggen! We were a super strong team today with @ellenvdijk and @marianne_vos.
— Annemiek van Vleuten (@AvVleuten) August 8, 2016
