Fall victim Plapp had to undergo abdominal surgery

Luke Plapp, who fell in the Olympic cycling time trial on Saturday, had to undergo abdominal surgery.

July 28, 2024

From: tu/apa

The Australian professional cyclist Lucas Plapp had to undergo abdominal surgery after his fall in the individual time trial at the Olympic Games. This was announced by the Australian association. The operation took place late on Saturday evening in Paris. "His parents and an Australian doctor were with him in the hospital," the statement said. No further details could be given at this time.

Plapp fell after about 32,4 kilometers in the rainy 14-kilometer race on Saturday and slipped under a barrier. A video circulating on X shows a supporter carefully helping the Australian time trial champion to his feet.

Max Schachmann drives carefully into a curve. © APA/afp / EMMANUEL DUNAND

Many athletes had criticized the fact that the course was not allowed to be ridden again beforehand despite the adverse conditions. This is usually the case for time trials. According to Maximilian Schachmann, the world association UCI had decided that this was prohibited. "If you do it anyway, you are not allowed to start," said the 30-year-old. Schachmann finished in ninth place.

“It was a gamble”

Numerous professionals fell in both races. Among them was Antonia Niedermaier, who could be in the medal ranks in the road race on Sunday. "It was like slippery soap. I slipped and fell in a roundabout, but was back on the bike relatively quickly. It was a gamble," said Niedermaier.

The American Taylor Knibb was doing well in the race after the first intermediate time, but then fell three times. When the 26-year-old had to change her bike because of a defect, the coach rushing up to her fell with the new bike.

Taylor Knibb felt the asphalt several times. © APA/afp / BEN STANSALL

Mieke Kröger, who started after Knibb, said that she drove particularly slowly in the bends. She identified the numerous zebra crossings as a particular danger point. "And you have them practically in every bend here," said the 31-year-old. Kröger finished in 13th place, but had hoped for much better.

Remco before Pippo

The time trial was won by Belgian Remco Evenepoel ahead of Filippo Ganna, who gave Italy its first medal at these Olympic GamesThird place went to Wout von Aert, also from Belgium, who narrowly beat Josh Tarling to fourth place. The race was characterised by difficult conditions, wet roads and the odd crash.