Fem van Empel hit by a car during training - escapes without major injuries

A week before the start of the Giro d'Italia Donne, where Fem van Empel was going to aim for final top-10, the 21-year-old multi-talent was hit by a car during a training ride near her home. Whether this will impact her start at the Italian Grand tour will become clear in coming days.

Fortunately, Van Empel did not suffer any serious injuries, but she is struggling with a lot of pain in her hip. Her health state will be closely monitored in the run-up to the race to decide whether she is ready for a week of all-out racing at the Giro.

"I had to quickly get a pack of cigarettes," Van Empel quotes the driver who hit her. "Thanks to the man who hit me head-on with his car and launched me. Fortunately no fractures, but a lot of pain in the hip."

If Van Empel makes it to the Giro, it would be her second participation in a Grand Tour. Last year she also rode the Giro and finished in eleventh place in the final classification. Later, this summer she is also scheduled to make her Tour de France Femmes debut.