Dutch cyclist Fabio Jakobsen is seriously ill in hospital in Poland after a major crash a few metres before the finish of the 1st stage of the 2020 Tour de Pologne.

Jakobsen is said by some sources to be fighting for his life following the crash, in which fellow Dutchman Dylan Groenewegen deviated from his line and forced Jakobsen into the barriers.

Patrick Lefevere, the manager of cycling team Deeuninck-QuickStep, which Jakobsen belongs too, has refused to accept Groenewegen’s apologies, describing the incident as ‘murderous attack’ and saying he will go to court about it.

According to the Telegraaf, Jakobsen, 23, underwent a five hour operation on Wednesday evening and is being kept in an artificial coma. He was airlifted to hospital after the crash.

The sport’s governing body UCI said on Wednesday it ‘strongly condemns the dangerous behaviour of rider Dylan Groenewegen’. Groenewegen, who was disqualified and faces disciplinary action, cycles for Jumbo Wisma.