Van Der Poel crash #Flanders #RVV19 he’s back up and underway pic.twitter.com/9EKq1j9PcB
— Stephen Chapman (@steve_chappie) April 7, 2019
Mathieu van der Poel was caught in a bizarre lone crash during the Tour of Flanders.
The Dutch national champion suffered a mechanical 60km from the finish, and was thrown over the bars as he called for assistance.
Van der Poel (Corendon-Circus) had been tipped as a favourite on his debut Flanders attempt, after he took victory in Dwars door Vlaanderen on Wednesday (April 3).
>>> Five things to look out for at the 2019 Tour of Flanders
But more than 200km into the race, he was caught on the outside of the peloton and was forced to bunnyhop into a planter at speed, and the impact with the curb looked like it had damaged the front end of his bike.
The reigning cyclocross world champion pulled off to the side of the road and looked very unsteady as he slowed with one foot unclipped.
As he raised one arm to call for assistance from his team car, van der Poel was fired over the handlebars and into the concrete.
After the crash his handlebars were out of line and he looked to be injured.
But after sitting on the floor and holding his collarbone, the 24-year-old re-mounted and was seen powering back to the front of the bunch shortly after.
Van der Poel became an overnight favourite after his dominant victory in Dwars door Vlaanderen earlier in the week.
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That result followed a fourth-place finish in Gent-Wevelgem last weekend.
Reigning champion Niki Terpstra was not so fortunate, as he was caught in a slow motion crash 157km from the finish and was forced to abandon.
The Direct Energie rider was given medical attention on the course and was taken to hospital for checks.
