Featured Image Credit: BBC Television
Olympic rider Annemiek van Vleuten is in intensive care after suffering a shocking crash in the Women's Road Race in Brazil.
The Dutchwoman was leading the race at the time of the horror smash and looked on course to take the gold medal as she descended the Vista Chinesa mountain in Rio towards the finish line.
But Van Vleuten was dramatically thrown over the handlebars of her bike and she terrifyingly tumbled into a ditch after her wheels locked on a wet road surface.
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WARNING: GRAPHIC CONTENT
Video Credit: NBC TV
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The 33-year-old has since been placed in intensive care for at least 24 hours having been diagnosed with a severe concussion and small fractures on her lower spine.
However, Van Vleuten is 'conscious' and looks 'bright', according to the Dutch Cycling Federation.
Former British cyclist Chris Boardman has been heavily critical of the race organisers as a result of Van Vleuten's accident.
He said on the BBC's Olympic coverage, which broadcast the race on Sunday evening BST, as part of his punditry role: "I went down and had a look at the course and saw those edges. We knew it was way past being technical. It was dangerous.
Boardman also said: "We knew the descent was treacherous. I looked at that road furniture and thought, nobody can crash here and just get up. It is really bad and that is what we have seen today."
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