WARSAW (POLAND) – Cyclist Dylan Groenewegen of the Netherlands has tendered an apology for the crash that caused compatriot Fabio Jakobsen to be placed in a medically induced coma.
Groenewegen of the Jumbo–Visma team was vying for position with Jakobsen in the final lap of the first stage of the Tour of Poland.
Twenty-three-year-old Jakobsen crashed into the barriers and collided with a race official. He was rushed to hospital where he underwent facial surgery.
“I find it terrible what happened,” Groenewegen said in a team statement. “I can’t find the words to describe how sorry I am for Fabio and the others involved.
“What matters most now is Fabio’s health. I think about him all the time,” he said.
Cycling’s top governing body UCI came out with a statement condemning the “dangerous behaviour” of Groenewegen, accusing him of causing the tragedy. It also disqualified him.
Jumbo–Visma director Richard Plugge said Groenewegen, who underwent surgery for a fractured collarbone, “feels terrible”.
“He was deeply affected by it … Soon we will discuss the incident in detail with him.”
The race was slated to be held in July, but the pandemic forced it to be postponed. The original seven stages were scaled down to five to accommodate other races in the calendar.
(Photos syndicated via Reuters)
This story has been edited by BH staff and is published from a syndicated field