Armitstead crashes hard after winning stage 1 at Aviva Women’s Tour
The Boels-Dolmans rider was on the ground for more than 30 minutes before paramedics took her away in an ambulance
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Lizzie Armitstead (Boels-Dolmans) won the first stage at the Aviva Women’s Tour Wednesday and then crashed hard shortly after crossing the finish line at high speed.
Armitstead, who was on the left side of the road, earned the victory in a bunch sprint. The video captures the scene before and after the crash, but does not show what Armitstead impacted.
Race organizers released this statement later in the day:
“After crossing the line with her hands in the air, stage winner Lizzie Armitstead appeared to lose control and veer left, clipping photographers positioned across the finish line.
“Lizzie was immediately attended to by race medical staff at the finish line who dealt with the incident before she was taken to hospital.
“Everyone from the Aviva Women’s Tour wishes Lizzie all the best for a speedy recovery and will make no further comment at this stage.”
On Facebook, the Boels Dolmans team posted this update from Armitstead: “I remember winning with the help of my teammates and then not much else, but I am ok, nothing broken just very sore, thank you for all your kind messages and to the NHS staff who took care of me so well. I won’t start tomorrow in the hope of recovering properly for the nationals.”
A Telegraph reporter on site Tweeted that Armitstead was on the road for 30 minutes as paramedics treated her before loading her into an ambulance.
Armitstead still lying on her side 15mins on. Oxygen and neck brace. Ambulance being readied. Have seen her move her arms and hands
— Tom Cary (@tomcary_tel) June 17, 2015
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Replays suggest crash not to do with celebration. Armitstead appears to hit person or people about 40-50m beyond finish line. — Tom Cary (@tomcary_tel) June 17, 2015
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Armitstead now on stretcher half an hour after crash. Head in brace
— Tom Cary (@tomcary_tel) June 17, 2015
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Armitstead now taken away by ambulance a good 40mins after crash. Jo Rowsell and Ciara Horne came to see her as she was moved — Tom Cary (@tomcary_tel) June 17, 2015
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The five-day race takes place in Great Britain.
