English bike owner Matt Walls was concerned in a horror crash on the Commonwealth Games on Sunday when he was catapulted over the limitations and into the group on the Lee Valley VeloPark.
FOR THE LATEST COMMONWEALTH GAMES NEWS PLEASE VISIT THE SOUTH AFRICAN WEBSITE
The Olympic omnium champion, competing within the males’s 15km scratch qualifiers on the London venue, obtained remedy for greater than 40 minutes earlier than being taken away by ambulance.
Spectators have been additionally harm after Walls and his bike got here excessive of the limitations on the excessive banking of a nook.
BREAKING | BLITZBOKS TO BATTLE FIJI FOR COMMONWEALTH GAMES SEVENS GOLD
Two different riders – the Isle of Man’s Matt Bostock and Canada’s Derek Gee – have been additionally taken to hospital, whereas two spectators have been handled for minor accidents on the velodrome.
A statement from Team England stated: “Following medical treatment in hospital, Matt Walls has been discharged with stitches in his forehead, scrapes and bruises but thankfully no major injuries.”
The Isle of Man workforce stated Bostock had a CT scan from which the preliminary prognosis was optimistic.
Witnesses stated that due to the gradient of the banking, spectators within the entrance row had been unsighted for the crash.
One man obtained remedy for cuts to his arm whereas a younger woman additionally obtained medical consideration.
PICTURES | MEDALS UNVEILED FOR 2022 COMMONWEALTH GAMES
Walls had been attempting to keep away from riders who had fallen. The stricken pair of New Zealand’s George Jackson and Australia’s Josh Duffy slid up the banking, forcing Walls up on to the barrier after which over it.
Gee additionally surfed the highest of the barrier however managed to keep away from following Walls into the stands however he fell closely.
A Birmingham 2022 spokesperson stated in an announcement that three cyclists and two spectators had been handled by the on-site medical workforce.
“The three cyclists have been taken to hospital. The two spectators did not require hospital treatment,” the assertion added.
Canadian Mathias Guillemette was disqualified from the race for inflicting the preliminary crash and the remainder of the morning session was cancelled.
British five-time Olympic gold medallist Laura Kenny, who’s competing for England on the Commonwealth Games, referred to as for greater limitations or screens to be fitted in velodromes to enhance security.
Kenny, talking a day after England’s Joe Truman was knocked unconscious in a crash, fears the game is rising extra harmful.
“I think the crashes are getting worse and it’s because the speeds are getting higher, the positions (on the bike) are getting more extreme,” she stated.
“Some of the pursuit positions persons are getting in, you see individuals crashing into the again of individuals.
“At some point the UCI (cycling’s governing body) are going to have to put a cap on these positions. Maybe there should be screens because Matt should not have been able to go over the top and into the crowd — that’s pretty damn dangerous.”
Most of the occasions on the Commonwealths are being held in Birmingham however the track cycling is happening in London.
By Garrin Lambley © Agence France-Presse
