British cyclist Pfeiffer Georgi suffers fractured neck in Tour de France Femmes crash

Georgi also broke her hand in the 10-bike pile-up, during stage five on Thursday

British rider Pfeiffer Georgi sustained a neck fracture and a broken hand during a crash in the fifth stage of the Tour de France Femmes, her team said on Friday.

The 23-year-old was involved in a high-speed pile-up around six kilometres from Thursday’s finish and was forced to abandon the race.

“We are very sad to lose Pfeiffer due to yesterday’s hard crash,” said Albert Timmer, a coach on team DSM-Firmenich PostNL, on the Dutch outfit’s website.

“She is not only important during the race as our road captain, but also off the bike she brings a lot to the group, so this is a big loss for us as a team.”

Team doctor Camiel Aldershof said Georgi had been assessed in hospital.

“The evaluations showed fractures of the neck that fortunately do not require surgery and a fracture in her right hand,” he said. “It was a heavy fall so we will continue to assess and monitor her as she returns home.

“It’s likely we’ll see her off the bike for at least the next four weeks, but we are in no rush, and her health and recovery [are] paramount.”

Demi Vollering lost the race lead after getting caught in the 10-bike pile-up, which occurred on the run to Amneville in north-eastern France.

Vollering sustained a back injury and cuts to her left leg but was able to remount and finish the stage, which was won by her teammate Blanka Vas.