11 fractured bones and a collapsed lung - Team Picnic PostNL rider escapes GP Jean-Pierre Monseré crash with long list of injuries

The Belgian classics are highly exciting races but also for those within the peloton, they are highly dangerous. The high tension often leads to crashes, and the high speeds often lead to the consequences being large. Timo Roosen of Team Picnic PostNL suffered serious injuries following a fall at the GP Jean-Pierre Monseré this Sunday.

He wasn't the only unlucky rider for the Dutch team, as Timo de Jong also crashed whilst attacking the race in a move that proved to be important for its outcome. The race was won by Dylan Groenewegen, whilst De Jong and Roosen were the two DNF's in the race for Picnic PostNL. As it turned out, the consequences of Roosen's fall were much more severe.

“So… I had a rough crash at GP Monseré. It resulted in 11 fractures and a collapsed lung,” the Dutch rider said in an Instagram post. “Big thanks to AZ Delta Hospital in Roeselare for taking good care of me for the past days, in a great atmosphere and in a funny dialect.”

In good spirits, the 33-year old left the hospital a few days he came in, with very difficult injuries that came as a result of a crash. Not only did he fracture six ribs but also four vertebrae and his collarbone. He also suffered a pneumothorax - a punctured lung. This has ended his spring campaign, in which he was planned to be part of the World Tour team's plans.

“Time to go home, recovery will take some time. My collarbone is back in place and the drain is out. The six ribs and four projections of vertebrae in my spine will need time to heal and become less painful.” The former Dutch champion is in contract year and the injuries sustained are potentially going to be an important obstacle later in the year when negotiating an extension at the top level of the sport.