Australian cyclist Jack Haig is in severe doubt to race at the Tokyo Olympics after being hospitalised following a horror crash at the Tour de France.
Haig, who was set to make his Olympic debut in the road race at next month’s Tokyo Games, suffered a broken collarbone and concussion.
The 27-year-old is in a French hospital with AusCycling hierarchy anxiously awaiting a definitive prognosis.
“He is conscious and okay and scans showed no head trauma,” said Piotr Kosielski, the doctor for Haig’s Team Bahrain Victorious.
“He will remain in hospital overnight for observation following the team and UCI protocols.”
With just 25 days before the Olympic men’s road race, Haig appears long-odds to recover from the broken collarbone in time to compete.
AusCycling was monitoring Haig’s situation and selectors could meet to discuss whether a reserve rider is needed should the Queenslander be ruled out of the Games.
Haig was hurt when involved in a crash on the third stage of the Tour de France and won’t take any further part in this edition of cycling’s showpiece event.
He was caught up in a late crash at the five-kilometre mark of the 182.9km stage from Lorient to Pontivy.
Haig’s compatriot Caleb Ewan, who had opted against riding in Tokyo, also suffered a broken collarbone in the crash and has been ruled out of the rest of the tour.
The crash ended the 26-year-old sprint ace Ewan’s ambition of winning a stage in all three grand tours this year after he had begun his campaign with two stage wins at the Giro d’Italia.
A crash in the tour’s opening stage involved Haig’s Olympic teammate Richie Porte, who avoided serious injury and has continued riding.