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Fabio Jakobsen in induced coma after horrific crash during Tour of Poland first stage

Dutch cyclist Dylan Groenewegen crashes to the ground as a bicycle is flying overhead in a major collision on the final stretch of the opening stage of the Tour de Pologne race - Fabio Jakobsen in an induced coma after a horrific crash during Tour of Poland first stage - AP
Dutch cyclist Dylan Groenewegen crashes to the ground as a bicycle is flying overhead in a major collision on the final stretch of the opening stage of the Tour de Pologne race - Fabio Jakobsen in an induced coma after a horrific crash during Tour of Poland first stage - AP

Deceuninck-Quick Step rider Fabio Jakobsen has been placed in an induced coma after a horrific crash during the first stage of the Tour of Poland.

Jakobsen was one of several riders and a race official caught up in the crash. Television images showed Jumbo-Visma sprinter Dylan Groenewegen drift across the road in the final, downhill sprint into Katowice, edging Jakobsen into the barriers just before the line.

Jakobsen, 23, collided with an official after flying spectacularly over the barriers head first. Groenewegen, who was subsequently disqualified, also fell after crossing the line, as did a number of other riders as barriers were left strewn all over the road.

Cycling's governing body the UCI strongly condemned the “dangerous behaviour” of Groenewegen, adding in a statement that it was referring the matter to the Disciplinary Commission to request “the imposition of sanctions commensurate with the seriousness of the facts”. However, questions are already being asked of the safety measures in place at the race.

Jumbo-Visma released a statement on Twitter: "Our thoughts go out to Fabio Jakobsen and other people involved in today's terrible crash in the Tour of Poland - crashes like these should not happen.

"We offer our sincere apologies and we will discuss internally what has happened before we may make any further statement." The podium ceremony was cancelled and the stage results have not been released.

The team said in a statement on Wednesday night: "Fabio Jakobsen’s situation is serious but at the moment he is stable. Diagnostic test didn’t reveal brain or spinal injury, but because of the gravity of his multiple injuries he is still kept in a comatose condition and has to remain closely monitored in the following days at the Wojewódzki Szpital in Katowice.

"Further information will be made available in the course of the coming hours. Meanwhile, we would like to thank you for your heartwarming support."

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