Olympic cyclist rushed to hospital for emergency surgery after horror crash

An Australian cyclist has suffered a terrifying crash at the Olympics.

12:18, Sun, Jul 28, 2024 | UPDATED: 12:54, Sun, Jul 28, 2024

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107th Giro d'Italia 2024 - Stage 2

Luke Plapp has been taken to hospital. (Image: Getty)

Australian cyclist Luke Plapp has been rushed to hospital during the men's Olympic cycling time trial in Paris. The 23-year-old, from Victoria, crashed at the 13.1km checkpoint and has undergone abdominal surgery.

Plapp was only two seconds behind then-leader Wout van Aert, from Belgium, when he lost control in the wet conditions.

He was seen struggling to his feet, before an Australian team member helped him off the road and called for medical attention.

Plapp, a three-time national road race champion and two-time national time trial champion, had also been due to compete in the road race in Paris next week. But his participation in that event now looks in serious doubt.

AusCycling released a statement confirming that Plapp had undergone tests. "Plapp was taken to hospital, where he is in a stable condition awaiting the results of scans,” they said.

The association later issued an update to confirm a procedure had taken place, saying: “Plapp underwent abdominal surgery in a Paris hospital overnight."

Luke Plapp of Australia and Team Jayco Alula seen prior to...

Plapp was also due to compete in the road race next week. (Image: Getty)

Explaining the incident, they added that the Jayco–AlUla rider "slid under a barrier fence shortly after passing the first checkpoint approx 14km into 32km course." And fans have since taken to social media to send well wishes to the star.

"Gutted to see Luke Plapp crashing out. He was one of my outside favourites for a medal," wrote @Roadman_Podcast. @medicinexthings added: "Get well soon Luke Plapp, so gutted. He said in an interview that he’d been on the TT bike every day since the Giro. All in."

The gold medal ultimately went to Belgian cyclist Remco Evenepoel. Filippo Ganna, of Italy, took silver while Wout van Aert won bronze. Team GB's Josh Tarling had been in contention for a medal before his hopes were scuppered by a puncture.

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Plapp's incident meant a mixed day for the Australian team. Grace Brown came through the treacherous conditions in the women's time trial to notch her country's first ever gold medal in that discipline.

The inclement weather has thus far disrupted the summer Games. The cycling went ahead as planned but skateboarding, tennis, and triathlon have all been disrupted.