The husband of the woman who Johan Vansummeren crashed into at the Tour of Flanders on Sunday has said that he hopes the Garmin-Sharp rider wins Paris-Roubaix again next weekend – and dedicates the victory to his wife, who remains in a coma following two brain operations.
Marie-Claire Moreels, aged 65, required two operations on her brain after being hit by the Garmin-Sharp rider as she watched the race speed by from a traffic island. She is in a critical but stable condition in hospital in Kortrijk.
As we reported on Monday, a judicial investigation has been opened into the incident, which happened in Wielsbeke after 57km of the 259km race, won by Trek Factory Racing’s Fabian Cancellara.
Vansummeren has said that on Sunday night he didn’t sleep well. “What should have been a party turned into a nightmare,” he explained.
“I will wait a few days before speaking with the woman’s family, but the most important thing, the only thing that counts, is that she pulls through.”
But the victim’s husband, Philippe Reyntjens, says he does not hold Vansummeren responsible.
He told the Gazet Van Antwerpen: “We don’t blame Johan Vansummeren. It was an accident. It all happened so fast. He saw Marie-Claire too late.”
The cyclist required stitches to his face and sustained a black eye as a result of the crash, but Mr Reyntjens said he wished him well and hopes he can ride Sunday’s Paris-Roubaix.
“Even better, he could win and dedicate it to Marie-Claire,” he added.
There were emotional scenes following Vansummeren’s 2011 victory when he proposed to his girlfriend – now his wife – on the infield of the track at the Roubaix Velodrome moments after taking a fine solo win.
But should he gain a repeat victory this weekend and take up Mr Reyntjens suggestion, it’s unlikely there will be a dry eye in the house.
I wonder what would have been the outcome of the rider didn't have a camera. ...
I don't need to. I work out my frustrations arguing with people on websites. Calms me down a treat 😂
Another one. Should have been permanent removal of licence, car crushed and serving time for manslaughter at least. 26 weeks suspended wtf
Fairings certainly won't help in that regard. Though I certainly wouldn't object to taking a few on a ride.
create virtual doctor bot
Bidon! And frankly if it's not "vinasse" laced with strychnine and/or amphetamines it's against the spirit of the original tour...
I hope the publicity either gets things going with the airlines or that someone lends Sian a bike.
I've got a gravel bike with GRX, that's 46/30 with an 11-34t cassette. I prefer the lower gears, even for on-road use. Top speed is limited to...
True - it's toad licking that you want to avoid
I never liked Trek frames before this, that hasn't changed, this thing is fugly. Theres never any style or good design with Trek imo, so bland, so...