Seven fractured ribs and two spinal fractures for Belgian Jan Bakelants after Il Lombardia crash
The 31-year-old was on the descent of Sormano during Saturday’s monument when he crashed on the same bend as Laurens De Plus, Lilian Calmejane (Direct-Energie), Simone Petilli (UAE Team Emirates) and Daniel Martinez (Wilier Triestina). His bike was found later, hanging from a tree - such was the force on the impact
Belgian rider Jan Bakelants (AG2R La Mondiale) was taken to Como Hospital and has suffered seven fractured ribs and injured two vertebrae in his lower back in a crash at Il Lombardia on Saturday.
The team confirmed the incident occurred at exactly the same place where Laurens De Plus, of Quick-Step Floors, was seen on hitting a Guardrail, tumbling over and falling into a ravine.
The descent was described by Quick-Step Floors cyclist Dan Martin as "one of the most dangerous downhills of any WorldTour racing event".
De Plus' fall was partially broken by a tree and his team later said he had escaped without serious injury.
The AG2R La Mondiale crashed in the same spot as Quick-Step's Laurens De Plus, the crash was not reported until after the race had finished.
While De Plus came away without serious injuries, medical examinations showed Bakelants was in a more serious state.
Team doctor Eric Bouvat confirmed that the rider is in "stable condition" and that he is "conscious and has no difficulty breathing or moving."
An x-ray and a CT scan were performed on the rider, revealing seven rib fractures without any impact on the lungs, as well as a "fracture-compaction of the first lumbar vertebra and the third lumbar vertebra, the latter of which will require additional examination. An MRI will be carried out tomorrow".
VIDEO: Laurens De Plus crashes over Guardrail on Il Lombardia Descent
VIDEO: Laurens De Plus De Plus went over the Guard Rail, luckily he's ok! #IlLombardia #iLombardia #bahrainmerida pic.twitter.com/81S8X2UiIn
— GranFondoGuide (@GranFondoGuide) October 7, 2017