Tour de France Femmes: Pfeiffer Georgi suffered neck and hand fractures in 'hard' crash
Published 16/08/2024 at 13:20 GMT
British cyclist Pfeiffer Georgi was involved in a heavy crash at the end of Thursday's Stage 5 of the Tour de France Femmes. Her team DSM-Firmenich PostNL confirmed on Friday that the 23-year-old suffered fractures to her neck and right hand in the incident. Former yellow jersey Demi Vollering was also caught up in the pile-up, but was able to get back on her bike and complete the stage.
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Pfeiffer Georgi’s Tour de France Femmes has ended early after the British cyclist suffered neck and hand fractures in a crash on Stage 5.
On Thursday, Georgi went down alongside then-yellow jersey Demi Vollering in a pile-up with approximately 6km to go and struggled to get back on her feet.
Her team DSM-Firmenich PostNL confirmed on Friday that the 23-year-old does not require surgery on the fractures to her neck and right hand.
“After her hard crash yesterday at the Tour de France Femmes, Pfeiffer went to hospital to thoroughly assess her injuries," DSM-Firmenich PostNL doctor Camiel Aldershof said.
“The evaluations showed fractures of the neck that fortunately do not require surgery and a fracture in her right hand.
"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 is paramount."
The national champion raced for Team GB at Paris 2024, coming fifth in the Olympic road race.
Georgi, who came third at Paris-Roubaix Femmes in April, was riding to support team leader Juliette Labous, with the French cyclist currently placed fifth in the general classification.
Team DSM-Firmenich PostNL coach Albert Timmer added: “We are very sad to lose Pfeiffer due to yesterday’s hard crash.
“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.
“She will take the rest needed now to heal up and we are confident that she will fight back and come back stronger than before.”
Vollering, meanwhile, suffered minor bruising and superficial abrasions and was able to complete the race, but surrendered the general classification lead to Kasia Niewiadoma of Canyon-SRAM.
Crossing the line one minute and 47 seconds behind stage winner Blanka Vas (SD Worx-Protime), Vollering was just grateful she did not suffer any lasting damage in the crash.
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Vollering said: “Considering how fast I fell, I’m glad I didn’t suffer any broken bones. After the fall I had to recover and check everything. Then I was able to get back on my bike and continue the race.
"I am happy that Blanka Vas still managed to win the stage. After her disappointment of just missing out on a medal at the Olympics, she picks up a beautiful victory here.”
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