British road race champion Sharon Laws has suffered a fractured vertebra and broken collarbone as a result of a crash during the Cape Argus Pick 'n' Pay Cycle Tour in South Africa on Sunday.
Laws crashed in the final two kilometres of the 109km event after the rider in front of her fell, causing Laws to fall heavily, according to the Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard.
Laws posted a photo of herself via her Twitter account in hospital in Cape Town on Wednesday, saying: "[team-mate] @HanlieBooyens gives me fruit and yogurt - can't even feed myself!".
Earlier, Laws had thanked fans for their support: "Overwhelmed by all messages, so fortunate to have such great friends. Thank you. Very sore, no movement allowed, maybe op tomorrow."
Laws' injuries put the early part of the season in doubt and it now seems unlikely that she will be fit to defend her national road race title in Glasgow on June 23.
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