The world champion of Quick-Step Alpha Vinyl was involved in a massive crash about 50 kilometers from the finish. Alaphilippe ended up against a tree in a ditch next to the road.
The images†
With a suspected back injury, the Frenchman was taken to hospital in an ambulance. He was conscious. According to Romain Bardet, his compatriot from Team DSM who came to his aid first, he could ‘barely breathe’ shortly after the crash. “He was conscious, but couldn’t speak. And he couldn’t move either. I really hope he’s doing well,” he said Velonews†
His team Quick Step has now given an update†
During the incident, Ilan (Van Wilder, teammate Alaphilippe, red) unfortunately suffered a broken jaw in a crash that caused a massive crowding in the middle of the pack, 62 kilometers from the finish. In the same incident, world champion Julian Alaphilippe suffered two broken ribs, a broken shoulder blade and a collapsed lung. His condition is stable but needs to be hospitalized for observation. Both will travel by ambulance to Herentals for further examination and treatment.”
About forty riders were involved in the crash, including Jos van Emden and Wilco Kelderman.
No fractures Kelderman after fall in Liège-Bastogne-Liège
Kelderman has no fractures from his fall in Liège-Bastogne-Liège. His team Bora-hansgrohe reports that. The Dutchman, who will start in just under two weeks in the Giro d’Italia, was involved in the massive crash about 50 kilometers before the finish, in which Alaphilippe, among others, went to the ground.
Wilco did not sustain any fractures. There are some bruises, while the team doctor applied a few stitches,” the German team reported on Twitter. The damage was not too bad for two other people involved, Bauke Mollema and Van Emden, although both complained of a sore back.