Mark Cavendish Rushed To Hospital On A Stretcher After Horror Cycling Crash

Mark Cavendish spent a night in the intensive care unit with a punctured lung and two fractured ribs after a scary cycling crash.

The Tour de France sprinter was competing in the men's Madison when he was involved in a horror incident which resulted in him being hospitalised.

As Cavendish came round the turn, he witnessed fellow competitor Lasse Norman Hansen get taken out by Kenny de Ketele.

Olympic gold medallist Hansen went flying over the handlebars and hit the deck hard.

As for Cavendish, he was unable to steer out of the way and ended up hurtling into the stray bike at full pelt.

Medical staff sprung into action and rushed onto the track to assist the Brit who was laying motionless on the ground.

He was eventually helped to his feet where he gave the crowd a wave to signal that he was alright.

But as a safety precaution, Cavendish was escorted away in a stretcher and rushed to hospital where he spent the night.

Thankfully, he was in good spirits and provided his social media followers with an update on his condition.

Cavendish wrote on Instagram: "Just want to say how overwhelmed & thankful I am for all the support and well-wishes.

"So Ghent didn't end the way we'd have preferred, I think it's fair to say.

"Some water on the track, a high speed crash and a few barrel rolls later, I'm being treated for some broken ribs & a pneumothorax.

"In a bit of pain, but a couple of nights with the incredible staff here at Ghent University Hospital should sort me out."

Cavendish's team Deceuninck-QuickStep added: "Examinations showed that Mark has suffered two broken ribs on this left side and has a small pneumothorax.

"Both of which have been treated with medication and he has been kept in the hospital for observation.

"It is expected that Mark will be discharged either on Monday or Tuesday and will then undergo a period of recuperation.

"Everybody at Deceuninck-QuickStep wishes Mark a speedy recovery."

PA

At first glance, the cause of the crash looked like it was the fault of one of the cyclists, but on closer inspection it has been revealed that some water on the track potentially caused Ketele to swerve into Hansen.

Fellow cyclist Jasper De Buyst witnessed the chaos unfold.

"Stupid that it has to happen like this," he told Sporza.

"I had noticed the lap before that there was some water, but then I ran over it at a slower speed. The next round it went completely wrong."

Topics: Crash, Cycling, Australia

Max Sherry

Max Sherry is a journalist for SPORTbible Australia. After migrating Down Under from London as a teenager, he instantly fell in love with Aussie sport and its culture. From NRL to AFL, cricket to rugby — you name it, Max watches it (with a beer in hand, of course). During his time at Fox Sports, he worked in the football department covering the Premier League, A-League, Socceroos and Matildas. Born a stone's throw away from West Ham's training ground, Max is obviously a die-hard Liverpool fan.

@maxysherry