The state of the Dutch cyclist Fabio Jacobsen after falling at the finish line of the first stage of the Tour of Poland stage is assessed as difficult, but stable. This was reported by the press service of the Deceuninck - Quick-Step team, for which the 23-year-old athlete stands.

“The examination did not reveal any damage to the brain or spine, but due to the severity of numerous injuries, Jacobsen is still in a state of artificial coma. In the coming days, he will be closely monitored at a hospital in Katowice, ”the team said in a statement.

This information was confirmed by the Polish media with reference to doctors. According to them, Jacobsen underwent a five-hour operation at night. It is clarified that he received chest injuries that complicate breathing. In the near future they are going to take him out of the coma.

A serious accident with the participation of the Dutchman took place in the last meters of the first stage of the Tour of Poland, which started in Chorzów the day before. On the finish line between him and Jumbo-Visma driver Dylan Grunevegen the fight for the first place unfolded. A compatriot, not wanting to give in, rubbed Jacobsen to the billboards, as a result of which the latter lost control of the bike, broke through the fence at high speed and flew off the track, where the judges and photographers were. Some of them were also injured.

Shocking crash leaves Dutch cyclist Fabio Jakobsen in medically-induced coma. Tour of Poland stage one finish now under investigation pic.twitter.com/WSMgYQ4MPa

- John Casey (@ JohnCasey2880) August 5, 2020

Jacobsen was immediately given first aid, and then he was taken by helicopter to the hospital. Race doctor Barbara Ershina said that as a result of the fall, he received numerous injuries and lost a large amount of blood. She added that the rider's life is in danger, but expressed the hope that he will be able to get out.

According to the director of the hospital Pavel Grünpeter, the Dutchman will have to undergo several operations on the facial region of the skull.

“The timing of these procedures will depend on the general condition of the patient. He is young, so we hope that he will gradually get better. Our forecasts are optimistic, since, with the exception of injuries to the face and skull, X-ray diagnostics of spinal injuries did not reveal, ”Cyclingnews quotes Grünpeter.

After the finish, Grunevegen, who had arrived first, was recognized as the culprit in the collision, and Jacobsen was declared the winner of the stage. The Jumbo-Visma rider was disqualified for dangerous actions on the track and fined 500 Swiss francs. In the near future, an investigation will be carried out with the participation of the Polish police.

Grunevegen was convicted by the International Cycling Union (UCI). The organization's press service said the case would be referred to a disciplinary committee, which should decide on further sanctions.

Patrick Lefebvre, Director of Deceuninck - Quick-Step, criticized the driver more sharply.

“This guy from the Jumbo-Visma team needs to be put in jail. I intend to go to court, such actions have no place in cycling. This is a crime, Mr. Grunevegen, "Lefebvre wrote on his Twitter page.

The Dutchman himself has not yet reacted in any way to what happened. His team apologized to Jacobsen and other victims, noting that they would assess the incident after the completion of the investigation.

At the same time, some racers also condemned the organizers of the Tour of Poland for the fact that the finishing section of the stage was a descent, the speed of which reaches 80 km / h.

Every year the same silly downhill sprint in the @Tour_de_Pologne.
Every year i ask myself why the organization thinks it'sa good idea. Bunch sprints are dangerous enough, you don't need a downhill finish with 80kph! @Cpacycling

- Simon Geschke (@simongeschke) August 5, 2020

Meanwhile, former and current colleagues of Jacobsen expressed regret over the incident and wished him a speedy recovery.

“Fight for your life, Fabio Jacobsen. Few guys can match you in strength, so I am sure that the victory in this race will remain with you ... Now all our thoughts are with you, your family and the team, ”wrote Jacobsen's friend from Deceuninck - Quick-Step Ilo Keisse.

Many eminent racers reacted to the incident. So, words of support to Jacobsen were conveyed by the 2012 world champion Philippe Gilbert, the bronze medalist of the Giro d'Italia Thomas de Gendt, the Tour de France champion Vincenzo Nibali, and the American Lance Armstrong.

“My thoughts and prayers are with Fabio Jacobsen. Hold on, buddy. I have been in this game for a long time, but I am not sure that I have ever seen such a terrible fall, ”said Armstrong to the Dutchman.

It should be noted that last year's Tour of Poland was also overshadowed by tragedy. Belgian cyclist Lotto Soudal Björg Lambrecht fell for unknown reasons during the third stage of the race. He died in the hospital from his injuries without regaining consciousness.