Rivals send support after Giant-Alpecin riders hospitalised in training crash

Teams and individuals from across the pro peloton were quick to send their support today after a training camp accident left six members of the Giant-Alpecin team in hospital.

A statement from the team suggested that the riders, which included John Degenkolb and Warren Barguil, were hit by a car travelling in the other direction while training in Calpe, Spain. All six riders involved are said to be in a stable condition, although the extent of their injuries is not yet known.

In addition to Degenkolb and Barguil, Chad Haga, Fredrik Ludvigsson, Ramon Sinkeldam and Max Walscheid were the individuals hurt.

Some of the world's top riders, including Chris Froome, Andre Greipel and Fabian Cancellara, sent messages of support.

Many of Giant-Alpecin's rival teams also responded, as the cycling world rallied around their injured colleagues.

Movistar called it "an awful day for the whole pro peloton".

Spanish media outlet Informacion.es reported that a car driven by a British national had strayed into the wrong side of the road and collided with the riders. It also reports that one seriously injured rider was air-lifted to hospital.

It also tweeted a photo of the incident, which appeared to show a bike broken in two by the roadside.

Giant-Alpecin team physician Anko Boelens said: “Everyone on the team is in shock right now, and there are some major issues that we need to take care of, but we also realise that we have had some luck on our side.”

“Everyone is conscious, stable and approachable, but we are waiting for the latest information and consult the doctors in those hospitals about the treatments needed for the riders."