Kris Boeckmans in induced coma following Stage 8 crash at La Vuelta a España, will likely need surgery

As reported after Stage 8 of la Vuelta a España, a crash just before the Cresta de Gallo pass took down several riders, including Cannondale’s Dan Martin and Tejay van Garderen, riding for BMC, who was taken out of the race with a broken collarbone. The accident was a huge setback for the U.S. rider, but it was the hit taken by Kris Boeckmans, riding in Lotto-Soudal colours, that reporter Ron Sturney described as the most worrying.

Shortly after Stage 8 ended, the BBC confirmed the Belgian rider’s condition: Boeckmans is in an induced coma, having suffered a concussion and several severe facial fractures during the crash, in addition to other injuries.

The brutal crash happened just 50 km from the stage finish, with numerous riders receiving a variety of injuries in the ensuing carnage. Jasper Stuyven, also from Belgium, abandoned the race despite taking the stage, having broken his wrist in the pile-up. “After the finish,” he said afterward, “my wrist was getting more and more painful. Unfortunately, the X-rays confirmed it is broken and that my Vuelta finishes.” In addition to van Garderen and Martin, Nacer Bouhanni also pulled out of contention following the painful wipeout.

Boeckmans, Lotto-Soudal announced in a prepared statement, received a concussion during that crash and also broke three of his ribs, along with the facial fractures he suffered. On top of that, the 28-year-old rider suffered a hemorrhage in his lung. “The doctors will now keep him in an induced coma for a few days,” the team said.

The severe trauma Boeckmans suffered, Lotto-Soudal added, will likely require surgery.