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Lucas Plapp crashes out of Olympic time trial

Jul 27, 2024

Victorian rider Lucas Plapp has suffered a disappointing day in the Olympic time trial, crashing out on the rain-soaked streets of Paris.

Plapp was one of the later starters of the 32.4-kilometre race and set a promising split at the first time check, only two seconds behind then-leader Wout van Aert (BEL) at that point.

However, with rain battering down and slick roads underneath, disaster struck when Plapp crashed in the technical middle section.

Although his crash was not shown on the broadcast, video posted on social media showed the aftermath of the fall, with Plapp – conscious and moving – being helped off the ground by an Australian Olympic Team staff member.

The Australian was forced to abandon the race, which was won by world champion Remco Evenepoel (BEL).

Plapp was taken to hospital, where he is in a stable condition awaiting the results of scans.

He is scheduled to ride the road race next Saturday alongside Michael Matthews and Simon Clarke.

Updated 2:30pm AEST, 28 July: Plapp underwent abdominal surgery in a Paris hospital overnight. Further medical details are not available at this time.

Photo: Getty Images