German cyclist Jens Voigt critically injured in Tour de France

German cyclist Jens Voigt suffered a serious crash today during a descent from the Col du Petit-Saint-Bernard.

Although the extent of his injuries is not currently clear, witnesses say the crash was brutal and that Voigt lost consciousness for 3-4 minutes after the fall. Team boss Bjarne Riis was quoted by the Associated Press:

“I only saw him after the crash and he looked very, very bad. It’s not nice to lose a rider like this, but these are things which happen in a race and you have to accept them. It is too early to say how bad his injuries are, I didn’t see the crash, I only saw the aftermath and it wasn’t good. I am just concerned with Jens’ health right now.”

Voigt is the second rider on team Saxo Bank to crash out of the Tour de France in the past week. Kurt-Asle Arvesen crashed while trying to avoid a spectator last Tuesday.