Quick-Step Floors cyclists Laurens De Plus and Petr Vakoc are in hospital in South Africa after being hit by a truck while out training.
Quick-Step Floors confirmed via their media channels that Belgian De Plus and Vakoc from Czech Republic were admitted to hospital following a training accident on Thursday afternoon. The two, together with Bob Jungels, were on the road in the Nelspruit area, when a truck came from behind and hit them, the collision sending them on the tarmac.
Fortunately both riders were conscious after the incident and with team trainer Koen Pelgrim on hand they were soon transported to the Mediclinic Nelspruit.
De Plus was diagnosed with multiple abrasions and a minor pulmonary and kidney contusion, as consequence of the crash. The climber will be kept under observation, but should be released from the hospital in a few days. Vakoc was less fortunate though, after the scans revealed several fractured vertebrae, which require surgery that will be performed on Friday.
Jungels described what happened: "The three of us were out training, when suddenly I heard a loud noise and then in the following second I saw Laurens and Petr on the ground. I did not see the truck coming from behind, but it must have hit them with the left front mirror or even the front left part."
The Luxembourgish rider, Quick-Step's go-to multi-stage tour hope, was forced to think quickly while ascertaining the situation.
"I ran to them and could see they were injured, so I did not dare to move them. A lady who was on the side of the road came and helped us, calling the ambulance, while our trainer Koen and I talked with them. It was really tough to see them like that and I hope they will get over this difficult moment soon. I wish them a fast recovery."
South Africa is a popular training venue for riders from UCI WorldTour teams due to its climate and varying terrain. Four-time Tour de France winner Chris Froome (who was educated in South Africa) comes every year while the likes of Tom Dumoulin (reigning Giro d'Italia champion), Team Dimension Data for Qhubeka and others run training camps in the country.