Bora-hansgrohe rider Matt Walls is "alert and talking" after a freak crashing racing for England today saw him crash over the barriers and into the crowd at the Commonwealth Games.
While the images were difficult to watch, it seems the outcome is not as bad as feared with Team England saying Walls have been taken to hospital as a precaution. It also appears that just two spectators required medical attention.
One man in the crowd sustained cuts to his arm and a young girl was also given light medical treatment for unspecified injuries.
There were concerns for the condition of Walls when he was treated trackside for about 40 minutes before being stretched out of the Lee Valley Velodrome and taken to hospital. Matthew Bostock, representing the Isle of Man, was also injured though the primary concern was for Walls, the 23-year--old omnium Olympic champion.
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The crash occurred during the scratch race, with eight riders crashing during the last lap incident. Walls went up the track in a bid to avoid the fallers. However, his momentum carried him up and over the guard rails and advertising hoardings acting as a barrier between the velodrome and spectators.
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While Walls went over the barriers, Canadian rider Derek Gee also went up to the top of the barriers but crashed back down onto the velodrome and did not follow Walls into the crowd.
British Cycling said: “Following a crash in the men’s scratch, Matt Walls & Matt Bostock are being treated by medics before being taken to hospital for further treatment. We send our best wishes to the riders and spectators involved in the incident, and will provide a further update when we can.”
Team England said of Walls: “Matt is alert and talking (as he has been throughout) and is being given medical attention in hospital.”
After the crash occurred in the heat - due to a touch of wheels at the front of the group - the rest of the morning session was cancelled and spectators were asked to leave as Walls continued to receive medical attention trackside.
