Marlen Reusser (SD Worx-Protime) and Lizzie Diegnan (Lidl-Trek) were forced to abandon the Tour of Flanders following an early-race crash on Sunday. The two riders were involved in a crash just 10km into the women's 163km race that started in Oudenaarde and both were taken to hospital for further medical checks.
Lidl-Trek posted a brief update across its social media channels following the accident. "Getting the news that Lizzie Deignan has been forced to stop racing after an early crash. We’ll have another update when we know more," wrote Lidl-Trek during the race.
The team later confirmed that X-rays showed Deignan suffered a fracture to the radial head of her right arm.
SD Worx-Protime later released a statement that confirmed Reusser's injuries, which included a fracture to her jaw and damage to her teeth.
"Marlen Reusser had to leave the Tour of Flanders after a serious crash. On examination in hospital, it was discovered that the 32-year-old Swiss rider had suffered a fracture to her right jawbone and her teeth were also damaged. She is on the way to Switzerland and will have further tests tomorrow in the hospital in Bern. Updates will follow in due course," SD Worx confirmed.
The crash happened during the opening kilometres of the race along the cobbled sector, Lange Munte, that involved Reusser and Deignan, along with World Champion and two-time defending champion Lotte Kopecky (SD Worx-Protime), US Champion Chloé Dygert (Canyon-SRAM), Monica Greenwood (Team Coop-Repsol).
Although Kopecky and Dygert got back on their bikes and back into the peloton, others were not so fortunate, with Deignan, Reusser and Greenwood being forced to abandon.
Live streaming footage of the crash showed about 10 riders go down mid-pack, with many riders skirting around the accident and continuing the race. Multiple riders also appeared to scramble to collect and untangle their bikes as team mechanics and support vehicles rushed to help their injured riders.
Deignan appeared to have a facial injury, bleeding underneath her right eye and cheek, and she was holding her right arm. She sat down on the roadside grassy section next to Reusser, who appeared to have abrasions along her lower legs as she held her hand up to cover her face.
Reusser and Deignan were taken to hospital for checks and treatment.
Both Deignan, a former winner of the Tour of Flanders, and Reusser lined up at the race in support of their respective teammates and race favourites.
Deignan was set to be an integral part of Lidl-Trek's team that was racing for Elisa Longo Borghini. Longo Borghini eventually went on to win the Tour of Flanders, while Shirin van Anrooij finished third on the day.
