The Dutch national team's hopes for a world title in the team relay time trial were dashed by Bauke Mollema's machine trouble and Annemiek van Vleuten's crash just after the start of the women's team ride.

The Dutch National Team admitted to Cycling News that van Vleuten had been taken to the hospital, that doctors had confirmed a broken elbow, and that a decision on her participation in Saturday's elite women's road race would be made later in the week.

"Anne-Mike has a small fracture in her elbow. She has a small fracture in her elbow and has been cleared to run with it, but we don't know how much pain she will have. National coach Lowes Gunwake, along with the doctor, will determine later this week if Anne-Mike will be able to compete. If not, he will not be substituted," the Dutch federation told Cycling News.

Van Vleuten was in second place when the Dutch trio started. As she gained speed, her bike went under her and she was thrown to the ground after veering off to the left and hitting a barrier. She later said the crash was caused by an exploding front tire. She was apparently using tubeless tires.

However, upon further analysis (open in new tab), it appears that the crash was not caused by an exploding tire as initially claimed. Rather, the crash appears to have occurred when Van Vleuten's chain fell from the Big Ring to the Little Ring, throwing her weight off balance.

After the crash, Van Vleuten was shocked by road rash on several areas of her body, including her elbows.

The Tour de France Femmes winner was able to get up, walk to the medical station, and carry him to the ambulance, but was concerned about his injuries and their impact on Saturday's road race.

"My elbow in particular is not in good shape. My whole side is bruised. I will go to the hospital and have an x-ray," Van Vleuten told Dutch broadcaster Nos shortly after the crash.

She also recounted the moment of the accident in a social media post (opens in new tab).

"I don't know what happened, but it looks like the tire exploded after I hit the side of the road. So it didn't matter. Something caused me to lose my balance, but whatever it was, it didn't change my situation. I'm in the hospital now," Van Bruten wrote.

"It hurts anyway and doesn't feel right. I'm not recovering anyway."

The Dutch federation issued a statement saying that after a medical check at the hospital confirmed that the fracture in her elbow was stable and that she would remain on the elite women's road race roster, but a decision on her participation would be made later in the week.

"Anne-Mike has been cleared to cycle with this stable fracture, but the question is, of course, how painful it will be. That will be known in the next few days. I hope Anne-Mike can still start, but it has to be justified," said national coach Loes Gunnewijk.

After leaving the hospital, van Vleuten told Noss that riding was safe as long as he could endure the pain.

"The fracture is stable and as long as I can tolerate the pain I am safe to ride. The doctors wish me luck on Saturday," she said.

Switzerland defeated Italy and Australia to win the team relay world title.

Bauke Mollema lost his chain midway through the men's time trial, and the Dutch performance in the team time trial had already suffered.

Mathieu van der Pol and Daan Holle continued to ride, but were 40 seconds off their best times. Van Vleuten crashed, so Ellen van Dijk and Lierjanne Marx ran, but finished in fifth place, 52 seconds slower than the Swiss.