Dutch cyclist Fabio Jakobsen fighting for life in coma after horror crash in Tour of Poland that left riders in heap

DUTCH cyclist Fabio Jakobsen is fighting for his life in an induced coma after a horrific crash in the Tour of Poland. The 23-year-old suffered severe head trauma following the sickening smash which left dozens of riders strewn across the road. Compatriot Dylan Groenewegen, 27, veered right across the road in the final sprint to […]

DUTCH cyclist Fabio Jakobsen is fighting for his life in an induced coma after a horrific crash in the Tour of Poland.

The 23-year-old suffered severe head trauma following the sickening smash which left dozens of riders strewn across the road.

AP:Associated Press

Groenewegen (second from left) connected with Jakobsen (far left) at high speed and sent him crashing through barriers[/caption]

AP:Associated Press

Jakobsen’s bike flies through the air after the horror smash and now he is fighting for his life[/caption]

AP:Associated Press

The smash led to a mass pile-up with riders strewn all over the road[/caption]

Compatriot Dylan Groenewegen, 27, veered right across the road in the final sprint to the finish line of stage one in Katowice.

Groenewegen collided into Jakobsen, sending him crashing through the barriers, where he wiped out an official.

Multiple other riders then fell, unable to avoid the initial incident.

Doctors treated Deceuninck-QuickStep rider Jakobsen at the scene after an air ambulance was called to the finish line.

Race doctor Barbara Jerschina said of Jakobsen: “His condition is very severe.

“There is a danger to his life.

“Unfortunatelty, it is quite a serious injury to the head and brain.

“He has lost a lot of blood. He is very strong. I hope he will survive.”

A team statement later said initial tests “didn’t reveal brain or spinal injury”.

It added: “Fabio Jakobsen’s situation is serious but at the moment he is stable.

“Because of the gravity of his multiple injuries he is still kept in a comatose condition and has to remain closely monitored in the following days.”

The race official caught up in the crash suffered head and spinal injuries but was speaking when he was rushed to hospital.

AFP

Jakobsen is fighting for his life after the horrendous high-speed crash[/caption]

AP:Associated Press

Groenewegen was slammed by the UCI for his actions during the race[/caption]

AP:Associated Press

Other stricken cyclists lie helpless on the tarmac following the crash[/caption]

Jumbo-Visma sprinter Groenewegen was named as the stage winner before being disqualified.

Groenewegen was slammed by cycling’s governing body.

The UCI said it “strongly condemns the dangerous behaviour” of Jakobsen’s fellow Dutchman.

A statement read: “The UCI, which considers the behaviour unacceptable, immediately referred the matter to the disciplinary commission to request the imposition of sanctions commensurate with the seriousness of the facts.”

Jumbo-Visma said: “Our thoughts go out to Fabio Jakobsen and other people involved in today’s terrible crash in the Tour of Poland – crashes like these should not happen.

“We offer our sincere apologies and we will discuss internally what has happened before we may make any further statement.”