Dutch cyclist Fabio Jakobsen has been put in a medically induced coma and is fighting for his life, after a sickening crash at the finish-line on stage one of the Tour of Poland.
Deceuninck-Quickstep rider Jakobsen crashed into the barriers at high speed, as he jostled for position with compatriot Dylan Groenewegen at the end of the 195.8km stage from Stadion Slaski to Spodek Katowice.
Footage appeared to show Jumbo-Visma rider Groenewegen nudging Jakobsen, who somersaulted over the barriers, and collided with a photographer and race official.
Four other riders were injured in the crash, but Jakobsen is in a bad way.
According to Eurosport Poland, medical staff needed to resuscitate Jakobsen several times, before he was taken to hospital and put in an induced coma.
Tour doctor Barbara Jerschina has told Polsat Sport that his condition is "very serious".
"His life is directly threatened," she says. "Unfortunately, it is a serious head and brain injury.
"He has lost a lot of blood. He is very strong, I hope he will survive."
Governing body Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) has since come out and condemned Groenewegen's actions.
"The UCI strongly condemns the dangerous behaviour of rider Dylan Groenewegen, who sent Fabio Jakobsen into the barriers a few metres from the finish, causing a collective crash at the end of the first stage of the Tour of Poland," says the UCI.
"Groenewegen was disqualified from the race by the commissaries' panel.
"The UCI, which considers the behaviour unacceptable, immediately referred the matter to the disciplinary commission to request the imposition of sanctions commensurate with the seriousness of the facts. Our federation is wholeheartedly with the affected riders."
Jumbo-Visma sprinter Groenewegen was initially named the stage winner, before his disqualification.
"Our thoughts go out to Fabio Jakobsen and other people involved in today's terrible crash in the Tour of Poland," tweets Jumbo-Visma. "Crashes like these should not happen.
"We offer our sincere apologies and we will discuss internally what has happened, before we may make any further statement."
Kiwi George Bennett also races for the Jumbo-Visma factory team, although he is not contesting the Tour of Poland.
Last year, Belgian cyclist Bjorg Lambrecht died in a crash during stage three of the Tour of Poland.
