Dutch cyclist in horror crash

Dutch cyclist Annemiek van Vleuten lay helpless in intensive care after suffering three cracked vertebrae in a stomach-churning high-speed crash while leading the Olympic women's road race.

The 33-year-old was 10km from Olympic gold when she tumbled over her handlebars and crashed into on a concrete curb on tricky descent that some have said was too dangerous for the Games.

Van Vleuten was left in a motionless heap on the side of the road as other stunned competitors raced by.

Dutch teammate Anna van der Breggen won the race but spoke of her shock at riding past her stricken team-mate and then deciding to take on the race leaders.

"It really shook me when I saw Annemiek crashed in the road," said the new champion.