Following a serious crash in the road race at the World Cycling Championships, two riders have been taken to hospital. Around 95 kilometres from the finish, approximately 15 riders crashed on the circuit in Montreal. Caroline Andersson of Sweden and Lauretta Hanson of Australia were taken to hospital for observation. No German riders were involved.
Andersson was lying on her back with a bloodied face; paramedics immediately fitted her with a neck brace. A member of the Swedish team reported that the 25-year-old was conscious and on her way to hospital. Initially, there was no information regarding the severity of her injuries.
Blasi criticises the risk
According to Australian media reports, Hanson is also in hospital. The 31-year-old lay motionless on the tarmac for a long time after the crash.
Defending champion Magdeleine Vallieres from Canada, World Championship silver medallist Niamh Fisher-Black from New Zealand, Kim le Court from Mauritius and Spain’s top talent Paula Blasi were also involved in the crash – and consequently lost their chances of winning a medal. “When we got onto the circuit, things went haywire. People were taking far too many risks,” said Blasi after she withdrew. Vallieres and Fisher-Black also withdrew from the race later on.
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