Tiesj Benoot suffered a fractured vertebrae in his neck on Monday after being injured while training in Livigno, Italy.

The Jumbo Visma rider was rushed to the hospital but explained on social media that his condition was not life-threatening after worrying reports in the Belgian media.

"First of all, I want to let everyone know that I am ok," Benoot said in a message posted on Instagram.

"Yesterday I was involved in an accident in the Italian Alps. I am now in the hospital getting good treatment to recover from the accident.

"Despite the seriousness of the situation - I suffered a small fracture in my neck after an examination - it is not life-threatening and I am stable."

"Thank you all for your warm messages. I will focus on my recovery over the next few weeks."

Het Laatste Nieuws first reported that the 28-year-old Yumbo Visma rider was injured when a driver pulled him forward out of a parking spot on a downhill.

Benoot, winner of Paris-Nice in 2020 and Strade Bianche in 2018, had a slow 2021 season but quickly returned to the podium this year after moving from Team DSM to Jumbo-Visma.

His new team was quick to recognize his value as a support rider and a rider who sees opportunities for himself, extending his contract before the Tour de France and securing a rider from Belgium until the end of 2025.

This contract extension came after Benoot proved to be a valuable ally to his compatriot Wout van Aert in the spring, taking the reins of the team in the Dwars door Hlaanderen and Amstel Gold races, finishing on the podium in second and third place. He was in a support role at the Criterium du Dauphiné, won by Primoš Roglic, and won yellow at the Tour de France in a support role for Jonas Vingegaard.

Benoot followed up the Tour de France with a result in the climbing-heavy Clasica San Sebastián. He finished third after Remco Evenpole (Quick Step-Alfa Vinyl) won after attacking with 44 km to go.

After his third podium finish of the year, Benoot took a break from racing to prepare for the second half of the season with high-altitude training in Livigno.

He was also expected to play an important role in the Road World Championships in Australia in September, supporting Van Aert, who will race for the Belgian team instead of Jumbo Visma.

Benoot's injury means that he will not race again in 2022.