Commonwealth Games medal hope Ashleigh Gentle has survived a massive scare after crashing in Abu Dhabi

COMMONWEALTH Games medal hope Ashleigh Gentle has survived a massive scare after coming off her bike on a dangerously slippery course in the opening round of the World Triathlon Series.

Ashleigh Gentle is all right after a tough fall. Picture: ITU

COMMONWEALTH Games medal hope Ashleigh Gentle has survived a massive scare after coming off her bike on a dangerously slippery course in the opening round of the World Triathlon Series at Abu Dhabi.

Gentle and fellow Games representative Gillian Backhouse were both involved in the carnage, which occurred when the course around the Yas Marina Formula One Grand Prix circuit became slippery after rain.

Both managed to get up and finish the race — Gentle in 13th place and Backhouse 27th — with Triathlon Australia high performance manager Justin Drew reporting both were all right.

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Australia’s Natalie Van Coevorden survived the carnage to finish third but the focus was on World No. 2 Gentle, who is among the medal favourites for the opening event of the Gold Coast Games in less than five weeks.

Gentle took to Instagram after the race to assure fans she was okay.

“Thankful that I finished #WTSAbuDhabi with just some bruising and an ice pack, with men and women slipping on the F1 track all day,” she said.

“Thinking of those who were a lot worse.

“I ran to 13th and I’m disappointed but glad that I could get to the finish line.”

A particularly dangerous downhill left-hand bend soon after the transition area took Bermuda’s world No. 1 Flora Duffy — another Games gold-medal contender — out of the race when she was leading at the start of the second bike lap.

American world No. 3 Katie Zaferes was taken to hospital semiconscious, finishing the day with stitches above her eye, concussion and road rash.

“I suppose I had to crash out of a race at some point,” Duffy said later on social media.

“Super sad not to finish especially as I was feeling so good. Good news — I’m OK. My bike was a little messed up hence why I couldn’t continue. Thinking of everyone else who went down!!”

Jake Birtwhistle finished fifth in the World Triathlon Series at Abu Dhabi. Picture: Jerad Williams

In the men’s race, Australia’s top-ranked Games representative Jake Birtwhistle finished fifth and was relieved to avoid the carnage.

“I’m glad to get through that season opener in one piece (it) was chaos,” he said on social media.

“Happy to safely make my way around the course to finish up fifth and to get the year underway. Australiabound now to prepare for the Commonwealth Games.”

Originally published as Commonwealth Games medal hope Ashleigh Gentle has survived a massive scare after crashing in Abu Dhabi