Video: Bahrain - Victorious rider causes mass crash at Tour of Flanders. Alaphilippe, Wellens, Stuyven and Sagan among affected

The Tour of Flanders is frequently a nervous race but it's had a brutal start this year. Before the first main sectors of the day there have been several crashes in the peloton, but none as shocking as an incident where a Bahrain - Victorious rider took out virtually half of the peloton.

The crash took place with around 140 kilometers to go as the peloton prepared for the first ascent of the Oude Kwaremont. The tension in the peloton was palpable. There wasn't road for all riders who tried getting themselves in front, and a Bahrain - Victorious rider lost his balance and hit Tim Wellens. A mass crash at the head of the peloton took many riders down. Julian Alaphilippe, Peter Sagan and Jasper Stuyven were all involved, Wellens himself was badly affected.

It was confirmed that it was Filip Maciejuk the rider who caused the crash, and race organizers have quickly taken action, disqualifying the rider.