BIRMINGHAM, England — The remainder of Sunday’s track cycling morning session at the 2022 Commonwealth Games was abandoned following a horror multi-rider crash that saw Team England’s Matt Walls and his bike fly over the barrier and into the crowd.
Paramedics treated Olympic gold medallist Walls in the stands, with medical attention also given to Isle of Man rider Matt Bostock, who was taken away in a stretcher, and two spectators.
Both riders were taken to hospital and later discharged. A Team England spokesperson told ESPN that Walls was left with “stitches in his forehead” and “scrapes and bruises” but no major injury.
A number of cyclists were involved in the crash during the second qualifying heat of the men’s scratch race at the Lee Valley VeloPark in London, prompting organisers to end the morning session with one race remaining. All spectators were asked to leave the arena shortly after.
A Birmingham 2022 spokesperson told ESPN: “Following a crash at the morning session of track and para track cycling at the Lee Valley VeloPark, three cyclists and two spectators have been treated by the onsite medical team.
“The three cyclists have been taken to hospital. The two spectators did not require hospital treatment.”
“We would like to send our best wishes to the cyclists and spectators involved in this incident and to thank the medical team for their swift action.”
The incident comes a day after another crash in the men’s keirin track cycling event on Saturday that saw Team England’s Joe Truman requiring oxygen at the trackside and later hospitalised with a suspected broken collarbone.
Saturday’s crash also involved Team Australia rider Matt Glaetze, who was bidding for a fifth Commonwealth gold until the 70kph collision.
