Katie Merchant crashes out of women’s Keirin as Dutch rider Lauryn van Reesen accidentally wrecked Team GB Starr and was knocked out, then pulled over before receiving lengthy treatment on the track
Katy Merchant’s hopes in the women’s Kerin ended in a brutal way as she was caught in a crash through no fault of her own in the quarterfinals.
Merchant, who looked strong despite facing a relegation in Wednesday’s opening race, was ousted Dutch Rider Lauren van Rissen appeared to clip a wheel in front and swung the bank to knock Team GB Starr out of the race.
The Dutch rider received treatment at the track side before being carried on a stretcher.
Katie Merchant is kicked out of the women’s keirin by Dutch rider Keirin Lauren van Riesen
Van Rissen appeared to clip a wheel in front and rose up to kick Merchant out of the race
Van Rissen (left) is injured on the floor, while Merchant manages to get back on his feet.
Merchant got back on her bike to finish the race, but already knew she couldn’t advance, only through the top four and with no second chance at this stage of the competition.
Merchant said, ‘My legs were feeling good, I thought I was coming at the right time. ‘But I think I was in the wrong place at the wrong time. That is bike racing.
‘I’m not really sure what happened. I was focused on moving forward. I am not sure whether she pushed someone’s wheel to the side or she fell but her wheels followed me.’
Dutch rider needed long treatment on track before being stretched
Van Rissen is carried on a stretcher after a high impact accident on Thursday
The 28-year-old will now have to focus ahead of the individual sprint, in which he won a bronze medal in Rio five years ago, with the competition starting on Friday.
When asked if there was any permanent damage, he said, ‘I think I am fine.’
‘There’s a little blood but I think I’m fine.’
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