Van Vleuten in intensive care

RIO DE JANEIRO: Dutch cyclist Annemiek van Vleuten said she hoped to leave hospital on Monday less than a day after a terrifying crash in the Olympic women’s road

RIO DE JANEIRO: Dutch cyclist Annemiek van Vleuten said she hoped to leave hospital on Monday less than a day after a terrifying crash in the Olympic women’s road race left her in intensive care. The 33-year-old suffered and three cracked vertebrae and heavy concussion in the crash, according to the Dutch cycling federation. But her spirits seemed high in a pair of tweets she published on Monday. “Still in the hospital. Waiting for some research and hope I can leave today. Knowing that this chance is one in four years, doesn’t make it easy,” she said. “I am now in the hospital with some injuries and fractures, but will be fine. Most of all super disappointed after best race of my career.” Van Vleuten was leading the 137km women’s road race on Sunday when she tumbled over her handlebars after slipping on a dangerous descent just 10km from the finish. She was left in a motionless heap on the side of the road.

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