Sunday in Ghent-Wevelgem saw a number of riders understandably abandoning the race amidst miserable weather and disjointed racing conditions.

There was no shortage of riders falling in the slippery conditions, but the worst crash of the 163-km women's race occurred with about 45 km to go. Several Trek-Segafredo riders were involved, most notably second-row Australian rider Brody Chapman, who suddenly fell from the side without warning.

"Brody was taken to a local hospital after his fall in Ghent-Wevelgem, where X-rays revealed a fracture of the sacrum S3," Trek-Segafredo said in a Twitter pose (opens in new tab), acknowledging the fracture of the large triangular bone at the bottom of his spine. 'Additionally, tests revealed that I had a mild concussion. Fortunately, a CT scan showed no damage to his cranium. Brody will spend the night in the hospital and will be closely monitored by our medical team. We wish Brody a speedy recovery."

Australian champion Chapman will miss the next important spring race as a strong support rider for Trek-Segafredo, along with Lauretta Hanson, who suffered multiple fractures at Nokelle Koase.

The team added that Elisa Balsamo, Ilaria Sanguinetti, and Lucinda Brand, who crashed in Gent-Wevelgem, suffered minor abrasions but are otherwise fine.

Also, around 10 km from the end of the women's race, Lorena Wiebes (SD Walks), expected to be a key rider for the team in the Tour de Flanders, crashed and several riders, including Elena Cecchini, were involved. The team, which won with solo attacker Marlen Reusser, said that Cecchini was unaffected and that "Lorena Wiebes is seemingly okay, but considering the magnitude of the impact of the crash, nothing stands a chance.

Forced to abandon the men's race due to the crash were Jere Wallaise (Cofidis), Lukasz Wisinowski (EF Education - Easy Post), Michał Kwiatkowski, and his Ineos Grenadier teammate Filippo Ganna, and others.

"Hit hard, felt sick at first, but no major injuries other than skin peeling off after a while," Kwiatkowski posted on Twitter. 'It could have been much worse. Also glad (Filippo Ganna) is in relatively good shape."

Ineos Grenadiers added, "Michal was treated for skin abrasions, no signs of concussion and is back on the team bus." [Filippo Ganna] hit his knee in the crash and has some minor swelling, but no signs of broken bones or muscle damage. Both were treated by the doctor on the team bus and will be re-examined at the hotel.

According to F Education - Easy Post, Wisinowski was taken to the hospital after the crash to have his elbow and hip examined. Kofidis confirmed that Wallay and Martina Algini of the men's and women's teams have abstained due to the crash and said he hopes to have reassuring news in the coming days.