Bicycle rider Plapp needs abdominal surgery after fall
The Individual Time Trial of the Olympic Games is marked by numerous crashes. Criticism of the World Association. Many athletes complain that the course should not have been driven on despite the adverse conditions beforehand. A professional had to undergo surgery.
Australian cyclist Lucas Plapp had to undergo abdominal surgery after crashing in the Individual Time Trial of the Olympic Games. This was announced by the Australian team. The operation took place late on Saturday evening in Paris. "His parents and an Australian doctor were with him in the hospital," the statement read. Further details could not be named yet.
Plapp crashed in the rainy race over 32.4 kilometers on Saturday after approximately 14 kilometers and slid under an obstacle. A video circulating on X shows a team member carefully helping Plapp back onto his feet.
Many athletes had criticized that the course should not have been driven on despite the adverse conditions beforehand. This is usual in time trials. According to Maximilian Schachmann, there was a decision by the UCI that this was forbidden. "If you still do it, you're not allowed to start," said the 30-year-old. Schachmann finished ninth in Evenepoel's victory.
"A matter of luck"
Numerous professionals had fallen in both races. Among them was Antonia Niedermaier, who could finish in the medal positions in the Road Race on this Sunday. "It was like oil. I slid out of a roundabout and crashed, but was relatively quickly back on the bike. It was a matter of luck," said Niedermaier.
US-American Taylor Knibb was in good shape after the first intermediate time, but then fell three times. When the 26-year-old then had to change her bike due to a defect, her team member with the new bike crashed into her.
Mieke Kroger, who started after Knibb, spoke of driving very slowly in the corners. She particularly pointed to the numerous zebra crossings as a danger. "And you have almost every corner here," said the 31-year-old. Kroger finished in 13th place, but had hoped for more.
Despite the criticisms about the adverse conditions, the Olympic Games 2024 in Paris will still feature cycling events, including the Olympic Games. Lucas Plapp, a cyclist from Australia, had a unfortunate crash during the Individual Time Trial of the Olympic Games in Paris, resulting in the need for abdominal surgery.
