Kris Boeckmans in induced coma after Vuelta a Espana crash
Last Updated: 30/08/15 10:33am
Belgian rider Kris Boeckmans is in an induced coma after he was involved in a pile-up during the eighth stage of the Vuelta a Espana on Satuday.
The 28-year-old crashed with around 50km remaining in the 182.5km ride from Puebla de Don Fadruqie to Murcia.
Boeckmans suffered a severe facial injury which his team Lotto-Soudal said will 'probably need surgery' on their Twitter feed.
He also has concussion, three broken ribs and bleeding in his lung and is expected to be kept in a coma for a few days.
Boeckmans' team-mate Thomas De Gendt tweeted: "I didn't want to leave Boeckie behind before I saw him awake. I was crying like a child seeing him on the ground like this."
Four riders had to abandon the race after the incident including two contenders to win the overall event.
Irishman Dan martin from the Cannondale-Garmin team, who had been third in the general classification, withdrew.
America's Tejay van Garderen (BMS Racing) – who was in 16th – also pulled out while French sprinter Nacer Bouhanni, one of the stage favourites, did the same.
Sunday's ninth stage is the 168.3km ride from coastal town Torrevieja to the double ascent up to Cumbre del Sol.
