Evenepoel sustains several fractures in crash

Evenepoel won the 2022 Vuelta a Espana and finished third at the 2024 Tour de France

Double Olympic champion Remco Evenepoel was taken to hospital after sustaining rib, shoulder blade and hand fractures in a bike crash during a training ride.

His team Soudal-Quick Step said the Belgian also suffered contusions on both lungs and a dislocated collarbone, which they said would be operated on later on Tuesday.

According to Belgian media reports, the 24-year-old crashed into an open door of a postal vehicle while he was on a ride in Oetingen, Belgium.

Evenepoel, who claimed gold in the men's road race and time trial at this year's Olympics in Paris, was conscious after the incident.

However, there was a clean break to the frame of the 2022 Vuelta a Espana winner's golden bike.

Soudal-Quick Step manager Patrick Lefevere told Belgium's state-funded sports website Sporza on Tuesday: "His bike broke in two in that incident, but it's better to split his bike in two than his arm."

In an update to Belgian newspaper Het Nieuwsblad, Evenepoel's father Patrick said: "He has already sent us a message, so we hope everything is OK."

Soudal-Quick Step said: "Following an incident while training today, Remco Evenepoel was taken to hospital where it was revealed that he has sustained fractures to his rib, right shoulder blade and his right hand."

The team later added that if the operation on his collarbone is successful, Evenepoel should be released from hospital on Wednesday and will then require a "two-week period of immobilisation" after which a "plan for his return to training can be made".

In 2020, Evenepoel fractured his pelvis in a horrific crash off a bridge at Il Lombardia.

He returned to claim his maiden Grand Tour win at the 2022 Vuelta a Espana, before the three-time world champion finished third at his first Tour de France this year.