Quick-Step riders left injured after collision with truck during South African training camp
Laurens De Plus and Petr Vakoc both suffered injuries while training in South Africa on Thursday alongside teammate Bob Jungels

Laurens De Plus at teh 2017 Giro d'Itali
Quick-Step Floors riders Laurens De Plus and Petr Vakoc have been left injured after a collision with a truck during a training camp ride in South Africa.
The incident took place on Thursday during their daily training ride with teammate Bob Jungels, when the truck reportedly struck them from behind.
Both riders were sent down in the incident, with former Czech champion Vakoc left with the most severe injuries.
>>> Fernando Gaviria’s spring campaign interrupted by heavy crash
According to a Quick-Step release, Vakoc suffered several fractured vertebrae and will have surgery on Friday at the Mediclinic Nelspruit where the riders were taken by ambulance. Both riders were conscious following the incident.
Belgian De Plus also remains in hospital after suffering abrasions and a minor pulmonary and kidney contusion and should be released in the next few days.
Jungels, who was riding in front of the pair when the incident took place and avoided injury, said that he didn't see the collision happen but immediately knew his teammates were injured.
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
He quickly attended to the pair, along with Quick-Step coach Koen Pelgrim and a bystander on the side of the road.
"The three of us were out training, when suddenly I heard a loud noise and then in the following second I saw Laurens and Petr on the ground," Jungels said in a statement.
"I did not see the truck coming from behind, but it must have hit them with the left front mirror or even the front left part. I ran to them and could see they were injured, so I did not dare to move them.
"A lady who was on the side of the road came and helped us, calling the ambulance, while our trainer Koen and I talked with them. It was really tough to see them like that and I hope they will get over this difficult moment soon. I wish them a fast recovery."
Thank you for reading 20 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
Follow on Twitter: @richwindy
Richard is digital editor of Cycling Weekly. Joining the team in 2013, Richard became editor of the website in 2014 and coordinates site content and strategy, leading the news team in coverage of the world's biggest races and working with the tech editor to deliver comprehensive buying guides, reviews, and the latest product news.
An occasional racer, Richard spends most of his time preparing for long-distance touring rides these days, or getting out to the Surrey Hills on the weekend on his Specialized Tarmac SL6 (with an obligatory pub stop of course).
-
DMT KM30 shoe review: knitted gravel shoes with a healthy dose of Italian style
DMT's take on the knitted shoe, which works well for relaxed rides and longer distances but lacks support for hard efforts
By Neal Hunt Published
-
With incredible battery life and hard-to-beat value, the Coros Dura is a solid little computer yet I’ll be sticking with Garmin - here’s why
The Dura is a sleek GPS cycling computer with impressive battery life and performance, but it falls short when riding off the beaten path.
By Anne-Marije Rook Published