The exact cause of Belgian cyclist Bjorg Lambrecht’s tragic death, which was announced by Lotto Soudal yesterday, has been revealed.
Team doctor Maarten Meirhaeghe said Lambrecht, who crashed on Monday’s third stage of the Tour de Pologne, died from a severe liver laceration which caused massive internal haemorrhaging.
“As a consequence Bjorg suffered a cardiac arrest. Bjorg had the biggest stroke of bad luck possible in the way he crashed,” said Meirhaeghe.
“With such internal haemorrhages a miracle is needed, a miracle which he wasn’t given.
“The place and the time did not influence the consequences. Even if such trauma had happened inside a hospital the chances of a bad outcome are real.”
The 22-year-old lost control of his bike and collided with a concrete bridge with just over 50km left in the 150.5km stage. He was taken to hospital by ambulance, but died during surgery.
Organisers decided to neutralise and shorten the fourth stage. A moment of silence was also held in remembrance of the young rider, who won the white jersey at this year’s Critérium du Dauphiné.
Yesterday’s stage was won by Slovenian Luka Mezgec. Pascal Ackermann retained his overall lead as riders head into the penultimate stage today.
