Belgian rider Broeckx in coma after crash

Belgian rider Stig Broeckx is in a coma after he was involved in a crash involving motorbikes on the third stage of the Tour of Belgium on Saturday.

"Broeckx is in a coma", race spokesman Chris Vannoppen said. The rider had been transferred to hospital in Aachen, Germany, his Lotto-Soudal team said on Twitter.

The incident involved two motorbikes and 19 riders, Vannoppen said. Five of the riders were taken to hospitals near the crash, which happened near Verviers, close to the border with Germany.

The spokesman said that the four other riders were not in serious condition.

One of the motorcycles reportedly involved in the crash. (Twitter)

The stage was abandoned after the crash, the official website of the tour said.

This is the second time this year that Broeckx has been struck while competing and this latest accident is likely to trigger new controversy over the safety of cycling races.

In February, the 26-year-old was hospitalised after a medical motorcycle ran into him in the first classic of the season.

Meanwhile, compatriot Antoine Demoitie died after being hit by a motorbike during the Gent-Wevelgem one-day race in March.