Kiwi cyclist Aaron Gate has been withdrawn from the Olympic omnium competition with injuries suffered in a crash during the pursuit bronze-medal ride-off against Australia.
The NZ foursome had just edged ahead in the race for third at the Izu Velodrome, when Gate touched wheels with his teammates, nose-dived into the track and slid into the infield.
His team was reduced to two riders, with Regan Gough - spent and dropping off the train - having to continue, but eventually caught by the Aussies to claim the medal.
Gate was visibly shaken by the crash, raising doubts about his future involvement in the Games.
Friday morning, Cycling NZ announced he had suffered a broken clavicle (collar bone) and bruising, and would be replaced in the omnium, where he was world champion in 2013.
Gate has been replaced by 2019 world champion Campbell Stewart, another member of the pursuit team, while world points race champion Corbin Strong will join Stewart in the two-man Madison on Saturday.
