Cycling hopes come crashing down

Melissa Hoskins taken to hospital after team pursuit training crash https://t.co/P4M752xWvX (Pic:AP) #Rio2016 pic.twitter.com/Driwn8MmGs

— ABC Grandstand (@abcgrandstand) August 8, 2016

By Nicholas Crawford

Australia’s Olympic track cycling team has suffered a bizarre setback as star Melissa Hoskins was taken to hospital with a suspected hip Injury following a crash in training this morning.

Four members of the five woman endurance team were involved in the crash that has thrown into question whether Hoskins will be available to ride in the team pursuit on Friday.

Team members Ashlee Ankudinoff, Amy Cure and Georgia Baker were also involved in the crash, sustaining burns and bruises in an incident that could potentially shake the confidence of the entire track team so close to their events.

Leader at the time Annette Edmondson sought to ease fears over the crash, tweeting: “Training crash update: Everyone is OK! Bruised, battered but OK thanks for all the supportive messages!”

The setback comes at the worst possible time for the team who were trying to familiarise themselves with the track before they begin their bid to repeat the world crown and world record time from last year’s championships.

Eyewitnesses described the team falling like dominoes when two of the riders clashed wheels, leaving only leader Edmondson unscathed.

Hoskins came off worst, requiring a stretcher to leave the velodrome. She has since been released from hospital and is an outside chance of recovering in time for Friday’s event.

If Hoskins is not fit to compete the remaining team members will compete without her but her presence as spearhead of the team would be missed.

The crash is another saga in the less-than-ideal start for Australia’s cycling team at the Olympics. Richie Porte was forced to withdraw from the road race and the time trial after breaking his right shoulder blade on day one of the road race.