Overall race leader Annemiek van Vleuten (Mitchelton-Scott) and three-time stage winner Marianne Vos (CCC-Liv) crashed during the reduced-group sprint on stage 7 at the Giro Rosa.
Van Vleuten has been transported to hospital with reports of pain in her wrist, while race organisers confirmed that her teammate Amanda Spratt was also involved in the crash with a suspected collarbone injury.
CCC-Liv confirmed that Vos sustained abrasions but no fractures, "With the exception of a few abrasions on her back, she has no significant injuries," CCC-Liv said.
Mitchelton-Scott confirmed that Van Vleuten and Spratt are currently in hospital being examined but have not confirmed their injuries at this time.
"Race leader Annemiek van Vleuten and Amanda Spratt both crossed the line and have been taken to hospital to have their injuries evaluated. Further updates will be provided when facts are available," Mitchelton-Scott confirmed.
Van Vleuten, Spratt and Vos were part of a small group that sprinted to the finish line in Maddaloni, however, all three riders crashed along a straight road in the last 1km of the stage. A touch of wheels brought down Vos first, followed by Spratt and then Van Vleuten, who went over her handle bars after hitting the curb side of the road and landed on her left arm and front side.
Van Vleuten got up and back on her bike, and continued riding holding her handlebars with just one hand, abrasions on her left wrist, elbow and on her chin.
The three riders crossed the finish line, although, Van Vleuten and Spratt appeared to have taken the worst of the fall. Van Vleuten crossed the finish line holding her wrist and Spratt holding her collarbone. Vos made an appearance at the podium ceremony as the leader of the points classification and was able to speak with the press.
Van Vleuten is currently leading the overall classification with two stages to go, in an attempt to win her third consecutive overall title at the Giro Rosa.
Vos has won three stages in this edition bringing her tally up to 28 career wins at the women's Grand Tour. She is also leading the points classification.
Also involved in the crash were Mavi Garcia and Tatiana Guderzo (Ale), Erica Magnaldi (Ceratizit-WNT) and Omer Shapira (Canyon-SRAM).
Van Vleuten and Vos have been selected to compete for the Dutch national team at the upcoming 2020 UCI Road World Championships in Imola from September 24-27, where Van Vleuten is expected to line up as the defending champion after her solo victory in Yorkshire last year. Spratt has also been selected to compete at the Worlds for her Australian national team.
More to follow...
