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31st Jul 2022

Commonwealth Games cycling abandoned after rider crashes into crowd

Daniel Brown

Walls was treated by medical staff for more than 40 minutes

Cycling at the Commonwealth Games was abandoned on Sunday afternoon after England’s Matt Walls was launched over the barrier and into the crowd, leaving athletes and spectators requiring urgent medical attention.

The crash occurred in the second qualifying heat of the men’s 15km scratch qualifying, with a multi-rider collision seeing Walls fly over the barrier and into the crowd.

Walls was treated by medical staff for more than 40 minutes before the 24-year-old was taken away by ambulance. His fellow rider Matt Bostock was also taken away on a stretcher.

A number of spectators were also injured after Walls and his bike came over the top of the barriers on the high banking of the corner.

He was attempting to avoid riders who had fallen in a crash lower down the banking, however, he accidentally clipped another wheel and went over the top.

Following the collision, the remainder of the morning session at the velodrome was abandoned, with spectators asked to leave as medical staff attended to Walls and the other riders.

A Team England spokesperson said: “Matt is alert and talking [as he has been throughout] and is being given medical attention in hospital.”

British Cycling tweeted: “Following a crash in the men’s scratch, Matt Walls & Matt Bostock are being treated by medics before being taken to hospital for further treatment. We send our best wishes to the riders and spectators involved in the incident, and will provide a further update when we can.”

 

Scottish Cycling said: “Unfortunately we have just witnessed another big crash at the velodrome.

“Kyle Gordon was taken down but thankfully got up and got back on this bike.

“Our thoughts with the two riders who are receiving medical attention.”

Welsh Cycling added: “Sending our love and best wishes to those injured in the crash at the Velodrome today.

“On behalf of all of us at Welsh Cycling we hope for a speedy recovery.

“We can confirm that Will Roberts is ok, and was not involved in the accident.”

The incident comes after England cyclist Joe Truman was knocked unconscious following a horrendous crash when riding in the keirin. He suffered a broken collarbone after being sent flying on the final lap of the keirin semi-final after riding into Australian Matthew Glaetzer.

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