Nikias Arndt suffered a vertebral fracture in one of the numerous crashes that occurred on Wednesday towards the end of the Classic Brugge-De Panne cycle race, his Bahrain Victorious team announced on Thursday.
The 33-year-old German rider has since undergone successful surgery and will begin his rehabilitation in the coming days.
“We hope to see him back on a bike within the next two months,” the team stated on social media.
Lionel Taminiaux from the Lotto team was also injured, suffering a pneumothorax and a broken rib. Tim Merlier (Soudal Quick-Step) and Olav Kooij (Visma-Lease a Bike) were involved in crashes as well, but their injuries were not severe.
The race organisers faced widespread criticism over the course layout and implemented additional safety measures for the women’s race, in which Lorena Wiebes emerged victorious on Thursday.
