Annemiek van Vleuten conscious and receiving medical treatment after Olympics crash

Dutch team reports that Annemiek van Vleuten is conscious after a heavy fall on the final descent of the women's Olympic Games road race

Anna van Vleuten with her Netherlands team-mates

(Image credit: Graham Watson)

Annemiek van Vleuten crashed on the final descent during the Rio 2016 Olympic Games road race while in the lead.

Live television pictures showed that the Dutch rider fell very heavily at the side of the road on the Vista Chinesa descent.

The Royal Dutch Cycling Federation (KNWU) reported immediately after the race on Twitter that 33-year-old van Vleuten was conscious and receiving medical attention.

"Van Vleuten conscious, transported to the hospital for further examination. KNWU doctor is with her," the KNWU reported.

See more

The UCI said that van Vleuten was able to communicate.

See more

Dutch media later reported that van Vleuten suffered severe concussion and three fractures to her spine.

Van Vleuten herself took to Twitter on Monday morning to post a message herself: "I am now in the hospital with some injuries and fractures, but will be fine. Most of all super disappointed after best race of my career."

See more

Van Vleuten's Dutch team-mate Anna van der Breggen took the victory and with it the gold medal. Emma Johansson (Sweden) took silver, with Elisa Longo Borghini (Italy) in the bronze medal position.

Van der Breggen told the BBC that she had seen her team-mate at the side of the road: "It really shook me when I saw Annemiek crashed in the road. If you see her like that, it changes everything."

>>> Rio 2016 Olympic Games: Latest news, reports and info

On Saturday, British rider Geraint Thomas crashed in a similar situation on the same descent, appearing to get caught by one of the deep gulleys at the edge of the twisting road.

Vincenzo Nibali (Italy), Sergio Henao (Colombia) and Richie Porte (Australia) all crashed during the men's race and fractured bones.

Former Olympic champion and BBC commentator Chris Boardman had surveyed the descent before the race and said: "We knew the descent was treacherous. I looked at that road furniture and thought, nobody can crash here and just get up. It is really bad and that is what we have seen today."

Thank you for reading 20 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access

Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1

*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription

Join now for unlimited access

Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1

Nigel Wynn
Former Associate Editor

Nigel Wynn worked as associate editor on CyclingWeekly.com, he worked almost single-handedly on the Cycling Weekly website in its early days. His passion for cycling, his writing and his creativity, as well as his hard work and dedication, were the original driving force behind the website’s success. Without him, CyclingWeekly.com would certainly not exist on the size and scale that it enjoys today. Nigel sadly passed away, following a brave battle with a cancer-related illness, in 2018. He was a highly valued colleague, and more importantly, an exceptional person to work with - his presence is sorely missed.