Luke Plapp’s Olympic Dreams Dashed by Crash in Paris Time Trial

Luke Plapp, the Australian cycling star, was all set to make his mark in the individual time trial at the Paris Olympics. After having a promising start, he found himself in a tough spot when the rain-soaked conditions took a turn for the worse.

The 23-year-old Plapp was performing well, sitting just one second behind bronze medalist Wout van Aert at the first time check. There was hope in the air that his efforts could bring home more glory for Australia, especially after Grace Brown‘s success in the women’s time trial earlier.

However, luck was not on his side. As he navigated through a technical section of the course, he crashed hard, leaving spectators worried. Team support was seen helping him up from near the barriers, and it was reported that he was taken to the hospital for further checks.

Plapp had entered the event with confidence, having recently reclaimed the national time trial title. His performance at the Giro d'Italia, where he finished strong in time trial stages, added to the excitement around his Olympic debut. But this unforeseen mishap dashed his hopes for a top finish.

As he awaits updates on his condition, it’s uncertain whether Plapp will be able to compete in the men’s elite road race scheduled for August 3. His fanbase and the Australian team are all hoping for a swift recovery.