Laurens De Plus (Quick Step Floors) managed to avoid any serious injuries after crashing and falling into a ravine during yesterday’s Il Lombardia.

The accident happened on the descent of the Sormano. The Belgian rider had been part of the day’s main breakaway which went clear on the Madonna del Ghisallo and while descending the Sormano, he crashed into a guardrail and flew over the edge of the road, before falling into the ravine.

The 21-year-old was immediately attended by the race doctors and teammate Dries Devenyns, who stopped his race to stay with Laurens, before he was taken to the hospital.

His team later reported that he had undergone examinations at a hospital in Cantù and that he had suffered no serious injuries.

Unfortunaely, three other riders – Jan Bakelants (AG2R La Mondiale), Simone Petilli (UAE Team Emirates), and Daniel Martinez (Wilier Triestina) – also crashed on the same descent. Bakelants was the most seriously injured, suffering numerous fractures.

AG2R La Mondiale’S Team doctor Eric Bouvat later provided an update on Bakelants’ injuries: “After an x-ray and CT scan, the following injuries have been detected: Seven rib fractures, though without any impact on the lungs. A compression-fracture of the first lumbar vertebra and the third lumbar vertebra, the latter of which will require additional examination. An MRI will be carried out tomorrow.”

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