Three Paris Olympics cyclists collide at 40mph in terrifying crash as bikes smash to pieces

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The aftermath of the crash in a women’s track cycling keirin quarter-final ( Image: John MACDOUGALL)
The aftermath of the crash in a women’s track cycling keirin quarter-final ( Image: John MACDOUGALL)

Three racers were left hurt following a terrifying collision during the women’s keirin event at the Paris Olympic Games with medics quickly making their way to the velodrome track

A devastating high speed crash saw half of the field wiped out in the women’s keirin event at the Paris Olympic Games.

Three riders saw there bikes sprawled across the track and smashed while suffering injuries themselves following a 40mph collision at the velodrome. Medics rushed to the scene with the audience left aghast when Netherlands star Steffie van der Peet fell after her bike slid from underneath her and she smashed into her nearby rivals. 

The Dutch cyclist smashed into Yuan Liying’s back wheel which saw the Chinese athlete fall sideways into the ground. Pieces of her bike were sent flying into the air.

Belgium’s Nicky Degrendele was next to become entagled in the crash. The momentum of the felled pair carried them into Degrendele as others attempted to navigate their way around the situation.

Degrendele eventually was sent over her handlebars, with her head seeming to hit the ground. The 27-year-old appeared in discomfort as medics rushed to her aid.

Liying was visibily upset following the incident, as she was helped from the track. Van der Peet could be seen with burns to her back with her clothing ripped by the velocity of the crash.

Nicky Degrendele of Team Belgium and Liying Yuan of Team People’s Republic of China crash during the Women’s Keirin Quarterfinals eidexihxiqhrinv

Nicky Degrendele of Team Belgium and Liying Yuan of Team People’s Republic of China crash during the Women’s Keirin Quarterfinals Image: Jared C. Tilton)

China’s Yuan Liying reacts after a crash in a women’s track cycling keirin

China’s Yuan Liying reacts after a crash in a women’s track cycling keirin 

Image: JOHN MACDOUGALL)

Team members were left to collect the chunks missing from wheels and handlebars from the track, while Olympic staff were required to repair the track. Officials used a hoover to suck up the debris and used tape to cover up dents in the surface.

The quarter-final outing had already finished by the time of the crash. Beligum rider Degrendele was the only one of the trio to go on to make the women’s keirin final. She finished in 11th place in the 7-12 final.

Team GB’s Emma Finucane claimed bronze in the event. The 21-year-old rider earned her second medal of the games after earning gold in the women’s team sprint.

A technician holds the damaged bike of Belgium’s Nicky Degrendele

A technician holds the damaged bike of Belgium’s Nicky Degrendele Image: Thomas SAMSON)

I’m just living my little dream to be honest. I can’t believe it," Finucane told BBC Sport. “To get a bronze medal, it literally feels like gold to me because I left everything out there on the track."

“It’s honestly so surreal," she added. “If you told me a year ago I’d be coming to the Olympics and getting a gold in track sprint and then bronze in keirin, I would’ve been like ‘no way’ but here I am.”

Emma Davis

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