Brent Bookwalter in 'stable and non-critical' condition after crashing into parked car at Tour of Britain
Brent Bookwalter, the BMC Racing rider who crashed into a parked car on stage four of the Tour of Britain, has "mild concussion" but is in a "stable and non-critical condition" in hospital
BMC Racing’s Brent Bookwalter is in a stable and non-critical condition in hospital after crashing into a parked car on stage four of the Tour of Britain.
Bookwalter was near to the front of the peloton with 45km remaining of the fourth stage on Wednesday, when he, his team-mate Silvan Dillier, and a number of other riders rode into a car that was parked in a disabled bay in Retford.
>>> Watch: BMC rider taken to hospital after crashing into parked car at Tour of Britain
A marshal was waving a flag to make riders aware of the car that was parked just after a bend. However, Bookwalter was unable to prevent himself from careering into the obstacle and came off the worst.
He was “treated immediately at the scene and taken to hospital by race medical staff and is in a stable and non-critical condition with mild concussion, lacerations and bruising,” a spokesperson from race organisers SweetSpot said.
SweetSpot confirmed that they are "investigating thoroughly", and explained that the car – which had its rear window smashed – "wasn’t able to be moved before the arrival of the race and as per our procedure, was flagged by one of our motorcycle marshals to alert riders to an obstacle in the road.
"We operate a rolling road closure and cannot remove every parked vehicle on the race route. However, we work with residents, communities and local authorities ahead of the event to ensure as safe and clear a passage for the race as possible."
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
>>> Fernando Gaviria holds off Elia Viviani to win Tour of Britain stage four sprint finish
Stefan Küng, Bookwalter’s teammate, was pragmatic in the aftermath of the race, saying that crashes are part of the sport.
"You cannot move every car away," the Swiss rider said. "It was a really unfortunate event. It can happen everywhere and you cannot avoid it completely. There will always be crashes.
"In the end, it’s the riders who make the race so it’s also the riders who cause the crash. In my opinion, I’d say to all riders to indicate a little bit more, just put your hand up or something. If you’re in tenth position you’re blind; you are just following, so if the guy in front of you goes down, you also go down."
>>> Two riders disqualified from Tour of Britain for riding on pavement to attack from bunch
Dillier, sporting cuts and grazes to his palm and knuckles, said: "For sure it is not funny. I don’t think the organisation tried to make a crash; I hope they do their best to avoid stuff like this in the future."
SweetSpot added: “The Nottinghamshire stage was a huge success and while we do not wish for this incident to take the shine off a great day, we take it very seriously indeed and will investigate thoroughly ensuring any lessons learnt are implemented immediately.
“We invest in and take very seriously the safety of competitors and spectators so are naturally disappointed by any negative incidents such as today’s.”
Küng also took time to praise the marshals. He said: "I have to say that, in general, here the race organisers indicate pretty good on all the corners, all the cars, the road islands. It was just really unfortunate."
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
A freelance sports journalist and podcaster, you'll mostly find Chris's byline attached to news scoops, profile interviews and long reads across a variety of different publications. He has been writing regularly for Cycling Weekly since 2013. In 2024 he released a seven-part podcast documentary, Ghost in the Machine, about motor doping in cycling.
Previously a ski, hiking and cycling guide in the Canadian Rockies and Spanish Pyrenees, he almost certainly holds the record for the most number of interviews conducted from snowy mountains. He lives in Valencia, Spain.
-
I'm about to turn 40 - how can I keep riding fast?
Approaching a landmark birthday, Charlie Graham-Dixon explores how ageing affects cycling performance and what can be done to stay ahead of the curve
By Charlie Graham-Dixon Published
-
Life Time Grand Prix to have fewer riders and wild cards in 2025
The flagship US gravel series has confirmed the six races that will be a part of the competition next year
By Adam Becket Published
-
Intermarché-Circus-Wanty riders fined and sent to education course after racist gesture
Madis Mihkels and Gerben Thijssen sanctioned after incident at the Tour of Guangxi
By Adam Becket Published
-
Intermarché-Circus-Wanty riders apologise after being withdrawn from race over racist gesture
Madis Mihkels and Gerben Thijssen sent home from Tour of Guangxi after social media post of racist gesture
By Adam Becket Published
-
Biniam Girmay shares photo of eye-catching new helmet design
Eritrean rider shares image of new boxing cork design on cafe stop during training ride
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
How the team with the smallest budget in the WorldTour is overtaking the competition: The rise of Intermarché-Wanty-Gobert
The Belgian team has been punching above their weight all season
By Adam Becket Published
-
Biniam Girmay's stage 11 start in question after podium mishap
Eritrean stage-winner injured his eye with a cork during podium celebrations
By Adam Becket Last updated
-
'Unbelievable': Biniam Girmay seizes opportunity in watershed moment for cycling
Intermarché-Wanty-Gobert rider becomes first Eritrean Grand Tour stage winner
By Adam Becket Published
-
Racing every race like it's the last of the season: how smaller teams are overperforming this year
Lotto-Soudal and Intermarché-Wanty-Gobert Matériaux have won 11 races between them in 2022 after just 21 in all of last year, so what's going on?
By Adam Becket Published
-
Josef Černý solos away from breakaway to Giro d'Italia 2020 stage 19 victory
The Czech rider took a solo victory on the truncated stage 19
By Richard Windsor Published