Madison world champion Amy Pieters has been placed in an induced coma after undergoing surgery on a head injury sustained in a road training crash.
The Dutch rider was airlifted to hospital after a fall with the national track team in Alicante on Thursday caused her to lose consciousness.
Pieters has since undergone successful surgery in Spain, and the 30-year-old will now spend a period of time in an induced coma, as confirmed in a statement by Dutch Cycling.
The update read: "During Thursday night's surgery at the hospital in Alicante, the doctors relieved the pressure in her head that had been caused by the fall. Amy Pieters will be kept asleep for the next few days.
"Only if the doctors let her wake up in a few days, an estimate can be made of the possible damage. Representatives of the family and the KNWU have travelled to the hospital. Aftercare is provided for the other members of the track team."
Pieters won her third consecutive Madison world title in France earlier this year and is a two-time European champion in the Road race and Mixed team relay events.
Ben Knapton
