Team GB cyclists suffered a horrific crash at the European Championships on Friday.
The British representatives hoped to claim gold in Munich but their hopes came quite literally crashing down. The incident occurred when a slip in the team sprint event caused the women’s team to fall off their bicycles and out of contention.
Team GB enjoyed a difficult start to begin the event as they false started on their first attempt. After they appeared to have ridden their luck and gotten away with it, their fortune began to turn in a way no British fan wanted heading into the race.
Lauren Bell, Sophie Capewell and Emma Finucane were targeting success in the championship but ultimately crashed out of the tournament prematurely. The key moment saw Capewell and Finucane collude at the end of the first lap as they struggled for balance.
The two teammates hit the ground heavily and skidded across the floor, with the momentum ripping a hole into Capewell’s jersey. The tear could be clearly seen on the upper right of her back.
BBC ’s coverage of the worrying incident showcased Capewell holding her kit and crying as she left the arena. British Cycling took to Twitter to comment on the crash, updating their fans on the riders’ health.
“Unfortunately a crash in round 1 sees our women's team exit the competition,” British Cycling tweeted. “Both Sophie Capewell and Emma Finucane are doing well and will be back stronger.”
The crash seen in Germany yesterday follows several worrying moments at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham recently. English star Matt Walls, who won gold for Team GB in the men’s omnium at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, was one such victim, flying into the crowd to leave a fan covered in blood.
While the women’s team crashed out, the men booked their place in the bronze medal match against Poland after they defeated Spain in the first round of their own tournament.
