08 December 2024 , 09:19
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Team GB’s Olympic champion cyclist Katy Marchant was taken to hospital after crashing into spectators during an event in London on Saturday.
Marchant was racing at the UCI Track Champions League meeting at Lee Valley VeloPark velodrome when she was involved in a collision with German rider Alessa-Catriona Propster.
After crossing the line for the final lap of the race, Marchant and Propster veered out wide during the turn and both went crashing over the perspex safety barrier along with their bikes and into the crowd.
The barrier, which cost £250,000 to install, was fitted around the velodrome track in August this year in response to another high-speed collision involving cyclists and spectators during the 2022 Commonwealth Games.
Saturday’s race was suspended as Marchant and Propster, plus four members of the crowd received medical treatment.
‘The good news is that the GB rider [Marchant] is okay,’ said Eurosport’s trackside reporter Adam Blythe.
‘She has got a broken forearm, but seems to be in a stable condition. There were a couple of members from the crowd that were involved and they seem to be okay as well. Everyone’s in a good condition, although Katy Marchant has broken her forearm.’
Katy Marchant (L) won gold alongside Emma Finucane and Sophie Capewell at the Paris Olympics (PA Wire)
A statement from British Cycling said: ‘We can confirm that two riders and four spectators received medical treatment following an incident during tonight’s UCI Track Champions League event at Lee Valley VeloPark, in London. The incident took place during the Women’s Keirin race.
‘The event medics responded immediately, with one rider transferred to the hospital. WBD Sports, British Cycling, Lee Valley VeloPark, and the UCI unanimously decided to suspend all further racing for the evening and want to extend their best wishes for a speedy recovery to both riders and all affected spectators.
‘We also wish to thank the medical staff for their prompt response and ongoing support.
‘We are working closely with all parties to review the incident before taking appropriate action. No further comments will be made at this time.’
A statement from the event organisers read: ‘We can confirm that following an incident during the women’s keirin races tonight, the rest of the UCI Track Champions league racing at Lee Valley VeloPark in London has been cancelled.’