One race moto hit another stationary motorbike and both went into the bunch causing a huge crash in Belgium that saw the stage abandoned.
Racing on stage 3 of the Baloise Belgium Tour was neutralised and then called off completely on Saturday afternoon after two motorbikes collided and caused a major crash in the bunch.
There are reports that a total of 19 riders came down and that 11 have been taken to hospital.
Sam Bennett (Bora-Argon 18) and Ryan Mullen (Cannondale) were both riding the event but neither was injured.
The crash took place while the field was descending a climb at high speed around 65km after the start.
A motorbike carrying those working on the race collided with a second race moto that was stationary at the time.
The impact of the crash sent both large motorbikes into the main bunch, taking down a large number of riders.
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The racing was halted for a period and it was unclear what would happen next such were the extent of the injuries to those who had fallen and the sheer numbers of the badly injured.
Initially it was decided the race would be neutralised but eventually the decision was taken to call off the stage, with the riders pedalling to Verviers.
The decision to scrap the stage was taken as reports emerged that one of the riders - Lotto Soudal's Stig Broeckx - had taken a bad knock to the head and was in a coma.
His team has confirmed he was transferred to hospital in Aachen and said it would provide for information to the public later via social media.
Broeckx was hit by a race moto at Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne back in February.
The incident is the latest in a series of crashes involving race vehicles hitting riders and the UCI was quick to respond to today’s events saying it would review what had occurred.
The race stopped
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