Posted on 07/31/2022 8:24:37 PM PDT by Morgana
Cycling at the Commonwealth Games was struck by another horrifying crash on Sunday afternoon that saw England's Matt Walls catapulted over the barrier into the crowd, leaving athletes and spectators requiring urgent medical attention.
In the second qualifying heat of the men's 15km scratch qualifying, there was a multi-rider crash and England's Matt Walls flew over the barrier and into the crowd, with his bike.
Fellow racer Matt Bostock was taken away on a stretcher, while 24-year-old Walls received treatment for more than 40 minutes before being taken away by ambulance.
British Cycling confirmed on social media that Walls and Bostock were taken to hospital. Canada's Derek Gee also hit the top of the barrier and while he didn't follow Walles over the top and into the crowd, he fell heavily backwards.
'We send our best wishes to the riders and spectators involved in the incident and will provide a further update when we can,' British Cycling posted on Twitter. Team England added: 'Matt is alert and talking – as he has been throughout – and is being given medical attention in hospital.'
Spectators were also hurt after Walls and his bike had come over the top of the barriers on the high banking of the corner.
The 24-year-old Olympic omnium champion was trying to avoid riders who had fallen in a crash lower down the banking but as he rode up, he clipped another wheel and went over the top.
(Excerpt) Read more at dailymail.co.uk ...
Velodrome racing. The track is like a NASCAR circuit with steeply banked corners. The bikes have no brakes and cannot freewheel. The racers can achieve speeds of about 40 mph for.short distances. It is a really fun rise but can be very dangerous if it all goes wrong.
I’ve seen it before but don’t see the point of it. Things the the tour de france I get but this? Seems just way too dangerous.
The comment section over on DM is funny. One said to install a speed bump. I say have them race in those granny type tricycles. That would be interesting.
When I was growing up, I always wondered what sadist got the idea to put a horizontal bar on boys’ bikes. (Rack ‘em up!)
That dude was flying!
“Hopefully his gay form-fitting designer spandex togs weren’t damaged, and they will live to race another day. “
I looked at all the pics over at DM. Seems a few bikes were damaged, the rink they were biking on got damaged and needed some on site repairs, but their spandax held up.
Amazing isn’t it?
World speed record on a bicycle.is done on a track like this. It is just a specialized form of racing.
Where did “Mayhem” come in?
That is too fast with too little protection. Just insane.
Jonathon E would never go over the wall
They should put the injured on a six month NHS waiting list... like everyone else.
Meh- Motor car racing is extremely dangerous too- with often fatal crashes- noone wants them shut down-
I feel sorry for the spectators who got a face full of cyclist posterior.
well at least there arent spikes on the bars-
Bingo. Even when they “catapult into the crowd”.
Bicycles + roller derby. I think this sport has a future.
Warning: GRAPHIC
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