Remco Evenepoel suffered fractures to his rib, right shoulder blade and right hand in a training ride collision with a Belgian post van on Tuesday morning.
The double Olympic champion was rushed to hospital in Anderlecht after being doored by the vehicle during a ride near Oetingen, near to Brussels and Antwerp, before being transferred to a hospital in Herentals. As well as his physical injuries, his special edition gold S-Works Tarmac bike was snapped clean in two by the impact.
Evenepoel’s Soudal Quick-Step team issued a statement on Tuesday afternoon clarifying the 24-year-old’s list of injuries after previous reporting in the Belgian press had suggested he had sustained a fractured collarbone in the fall.
"Following an incident while training today, Remco Evenepoel was taken to hospital where it was revealed that he has sustained fractures to his rib, right shoulder blade and his right hand," the statement read.
It continued: "Remco was taken to the Erasmus Hospital in Anderlecht shortly after the incident, where he was initially assessed.
"He will now travel to the hospital in Herentals, where alongside the Soudal Quick-Step medical staff, his injuries will be further assessed and the pathway for his recovery decided. We wish him a speedy recovery!"
Evenepoel was reported to have been fully conscious after the collision and able to sit upright despite his injuries.
Another update from Quick-Step explained that further examinations had revealed the injuries were even worse and meant Evenepoel was forced to undergo surgery on Tuesday evening in Herentals.
"Examinations have also revealed contusions on both lungs and a luxation of the clavicle," the team said late on Tuesday. "The clavicle will be operated on this evening, which if successful, should allow Remco to leave hospital tomorrow.
"There will then be a two-week period of immobilisation required following this, after which a plan for his return to training can be made.
"Soudal Quick-Step would like to thank the staff at the Herentals hospital for their help!"
"I only know that someone opened his door and Remco crashed into it," Evenepoel’s team boss Patrick Lefevere told Sporza shortly after the incident involving his star man and before the extent of his injuries was known.
"Such accidents unfortunately happen five times a day, people who don't pay attention and open their door. Remco has pain in his shoulder and his hand. Our doctor is working on it. His bike broke in two in that incident. But it is better to have his bike in two than his arm."
It is the second time this year that Evenepoel has been hospitalised with severe injuries after crashing. The Belgian broke his right collarbone and scapula after being caught up in the horror crash at Itzulia Basque Country in the spring.
Evenepoel recovered from his injuries before going on to finish third at the Tour de France this summer. He then won both the men’s road race and time trial at the Paris Olympics before successfully defending his time trial world title at the World Championships in Switzerland.
