‘Terrible’: Aussie cyclist’s bike falls apart mid-race at Tokyo Olympics

Commentators were left in shock when Australian cyclist Alex Porter crashed face-first into the track following a mechanical error.

Australia's Alexander Porter falls during the men's team pursuit qualifying cycling track event during the 2020 Summer Olympic Games at the Izu Velodrome. Valery Sharifulin/TASS (Photo by Valery Sharifulin\TASS via Getty Images)

Olympic commentators were left in shock when Australian cyclist Alex Porter crashed face-first into the track after the handlebars of his bike inexplicably snapped off due to a mechanical error.

The bizarre incident occurred approximately 1000 metres into the Australian team’s attempt during the men’s team pursuit qualifying session at Tokyo’s Izu Velodrome on Monday evening.

Porter was travelling 65km/h at the back of the four-person formation when the handlebars fell off his bike and he slid across the polished surface, before thankfully finding his feet and walking from the arena.

The 25-year-old was left with cuts and scratches on his face and knees after the freak accident, but AusCycling soon confirmed he was “ok”.

“I have never seen that before,” Channel 7 commentator Scott McGrory said.

“It’s a catastrophic failure of a bike like that.”

Channel 7’s Matt Carmichael continued: “It’s so unlucky, (but) lucky that he was at the back and didn’t take anyone else out.

“Alex Porter is up on his bike and talking to medical staff.

“It was a heavy hit to the head.

“What absolute drama and a terrible, terrible piece of luck for the Aussies.”

Alex Porter thankfully avoided serious injury.

Incredibly, he was able to continue competing.

Olympic officials granted the Australians a re-ride following the scary ordeal, and Porter was willing to take part in the team’s second attempt, which took place 30 minutes later.

The Aussie quartet, who were tipped as medal contenders ahead of the event, narrowly missed out on finals after recording a time of 3:48.448, the fifth-fastest performance of the session.

Porter was spotted in tears after the re-ride.

Australian head coach Simon Jones said: “When you land on your face at 65km per hour, and you have half an hour to do that again, it’s absolutely amazing. Talk about Australian fighting spirit in getting up – I’m almost speechless, to be honest.”

Meanwhile, world champions Denmark broke the Olympic record to qualify fastest with a time of 3:45.014.

That’s so horrible. Worse way to crash, from bike failure. Heartbreaking for the TP team. Hope @AlexjhPorter is okay. #Tokyo2020

— Adam Phelan (@adamphelan) August 2, 2021

Horror start for the Australians at the #Tokyo2020 track cycling - Alex Porter crashing after his handlebar snapped. The team will get another attempt - Luke Plapp warming up now as a potential replacement.

— Kieran Pender (@KieranPender) August 2, 2021

Take your hat off to Alex Porter, how he is able to get back on the bike after his accident is unreal 👏#OlympicGames

— Basil Zoccali (@BasilZoccali) August 2, 2021

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Earlier during the corresponding women’s event, Germany smashed the team pursuit world record in the qualifying session, crossing the line in a time of 4:07.307.

The German quartet of Franziska Brausse, Lisa Brennauer, Lisa Klein and Mieke Kroeger comfortably bettered the previous mark set by Great Britain at the 2016 Games in Rio (4:10.236).

The Aussie women’s team registered a time of 4:13.571 at the Izu Velodrome, the seventh-fastest performance.

– with AFP

Originally published as ‘Terrible’: Aussie cyclist’s bike falls apart mid-race at Tokyo Olympics