Jan Bakelants suffered seven broken ribs and two fractures to his spine in a nasty fall during Saturday’s Il Lombardia.
Bakelants’ fall was more severe than Laurent De Plus’ crash, with his team confirming that he “fell into the ravine below”.
His bike was left hanging in a tree and his injuries will take quite a bit of time to recover from.
Dr Eric Bouvat, the medic of AG2R, outlined the full extent of the injuries sustained by Bakelants.
“After an x-ray and CT scan, the following injuries have been detected: seven rib fractures, though without any impact on the lungs,” he said in a team statement.
“A compression-fracture of the first lumbar vertebra and the third lumbar vertebra. The latter will require additional examination. An MRI will be carried out tomorrow.”
