Female Olympic cyclist injured in unnerving crash

A Dutch cyclist, Annemiek van Vleuten, crashed spectacularly near the end of the women’s road race at the Olympics on Sunday.

Van Vleuten was leading the race by 40 seconds about 12 miles from the finish and was heading downhill when she failed to negotiate a turn, hit the curb and tumbled over her handlebars, landing on her head.

The international cycling federation, known by its French acronym, UCI, said via email: “Ms. van Vleuten is conscious, able to communicate. Further medical checks currently being made at the hospital.”

The descent to the Copacabana was considered tricky and treacherous by commentators. Several men crashed on it in their race Saturday.

Former cycling gold medalist Chris Boardman told the BBC: “I’m actually quite angry because I looked at the road furniture and thought nobody can crash here and get up. This was way past technical; this was dangerous.”

Van Vleuten, a 33-year-old veteran, has a long history of solid performances but no major victories.

The race was won by Van Vleuten’s Dutch teammate, Anna van der Breggen. American Mara Abbott led until the last few hundred yards and finished fourth.

“I was pretty shocked; I think she crashed hard,” The Guardian quoted van der Breggen as saying. “I realized I was at the front of the team, so I had to chase. I did it for Annemiek. To see her like that, it’s a big shock.”