Annemiek van Vleuten took a sickening fall in the women’s road race on Sunday evening.
Leading with 11 km to go, the Dutch cyclist lost control of her bike while taking a downhill corner.
Van Vleuten tumbled face-first over the handlebars and landed on her head on the pavement, seemingly being knocked unconscious on impact.
La caída de Van Vleuten que le hizo perder la punta. #ciclismoruta #Rio2016 #TeamNL pic.twitter.com/JAWb2f7o2q
— C5N (@C5N) August 7, 2016
And while the race was still taking place, nobody seemed to quite care who took the gold as all were united in concern for van Vleuten.
Thankfully, the 33-year-old regained consciousness and was taken to the hospital according to the Dutch cycling federation and the sporting community breathed a sigh of relief as this could have turned out much worse.
Van Vleuten blijkt oké te zijn. Meer nieuws volgt.
— KNWU (@KNWU) August 7, 2016
This is good news. Wishing Annemiek van Vleuten a speedy recovery. @AvVleuten #Rio2016 #womensroadrace #cycling https://t.co/8T0cuwyduR
— Chris Middleton (@chrismid259) August 7, 2016
Thank God Van Vleuten is concious. Horrible crash.
— Robert Morgan (@Tim_Opolis) August 7, 2016
https://twitter.com/SadhbhOS/status/762369878695247872
https://twitter.com/JimboSlice_MMA/status/762369498250878977
Dear bbc, I don't care about Armistead's emotions only about health of van vleuten
— Sinéad Kissane (@sineadkissane) August 7, 2016
Wishing Annemiek van Vleuten in Womens Road Race a full recovery following the horrendous crash 🚴🏿#RioOlympics2016 #Rio2016 #cycling
— Martin (@martin_grayston) August 7, 2016
so pleased to hear Annamiek van Vleuten is conscious and on her way to hospital – hope she has escaped any serious injury
— sandywarr (@sandywarr) August 7, 2016
Van Vleuten’s crash comes a day after British cyclist Geraint Thomas crashed out of his road race, just 10km from the finish line. Thomas was in contention for a position on the podium when he crashed on the final descent of the race, tumbling into a ditch after Vincenzo Nibali and Sergio Henao had also came of their bikes.
