Lotto-Soudal rider Gerben Theissen is in intensive care in Belgium after suffering three small brain bleeds in a high-speed crash on the opening night of Ghent Six Day.

Thyssen crashed violently late Tuesday night after contact with another rider. He was motionless on the track immediately after the crash but did not lose consciousness. After treatment was given at the velodrome and staff hid him from the packed crowd, Thyssen was taken by ambulance to a hospital in Ghent.

"Gerben was initially diagnosed with a broken collarbone and three broken ribs," explained Philippe Maertens, Lotto Soudal's press representative and race commentator, to Belgian media.

"He remained conscious at all times. Fortunately, his condition is stable, but because he landed on his head, doctors at the hospital scanned him and diagnosed three small bleeding spots on his brain."

"Because of this, they have kept Gerben in the intensive care unit for several days. The next few days will be crucial in order to understand how his condition will change.

On the evening of the first day of racing, Mark Cavendish also crashed at speed in the one-lap team time trial, falling and sliding into the blue band on the inside of a steeply banked turn. Cavendish got up a short time later and appeared to be okay, but was forced to miss the first Madison of the night.

After Thyssen's more serious fall, the other riders were shocked and asked the organizers to end the race shortly after 00:30.

"The crowd responded wonderfully," Maertens said. The crowd applauded the decision."

In the 2006 race, Spaniard Isaac Galvez, who was world champion in Madison with partner Joan Llaneras, died from an impact to the heart after crashing into a railing on the fifth night. Organizers canceled the final day of racing.

Organizers announced that the second day of racing would continue on Wednesday as scheduled.

Jules Hesters and Otto Felgaerde lead with 46 points after the first day. Kenny De Ketele and Rob Giese are in second place, trailing the leaders by just one point. Seven teams remain on the lead lap.