After a major fall by Gerben Thijssen in the super sprint, the further program of the first day of the 79th edition of the Lotto Six-day Flanders-Ghent in the Kuipke was discontinued on Tuesday evening. (Feature photo courtesy of BELGA, with Gerben and teammate Moreno De Pauw (Baloise-Top Sport Vlaanderen)
Latest news received, Gerben has suffered multiple fractures and some small bleedings on the brain…get well soon Gerben
Gerben Thijssen fell in the final round of the super sprint after contact with Deen Oliver Wulff Frederiksen. De Limburger received care on the slopes and was – consciously – taken away by ambulance to the hospital. The other riders were very moved by the event and at their request, a little after half-past eleven they decided not to ride the remaining numbers and to put an end to it for the first day. The audience in packed Kuipke responded with understanding applause.
Earlier in the evening, Mark Cavendish also had a spectacular fall during the one lap time trial. He quickly stood up again and signalled that he was OK. The Brit decided to return to the hotel to lick his wounds. Iljo Keisse, Cavendish’s teammate, was paired for the rest of the evening with Jonas Rickaert, whose teammate Roy Pieters had to quit sick. The lead after the first day is in the hands of Jules Hesters and Otto Vergaerde with 46 points. Kenny De Ketele and Robbe Ghys are second on one point. There are still seven teams in the same round. In principle, the program for the second day of Wednesday will be completed as planned
