Katy Marchant Involved in Crash at Lee Valley VeloPark

Katy Marchant the British Olympic champion and German rider Alessa-Catriona Propster were involved in a dramatic crash that halted racing at the Track Champions League in London’s Lee Valley VeloPark. The riders lost control at high speed, flew off the track and crashed over the barriers into the crowd. As a result, the incident injured Marchant, Propster and four spectators. Event medics quickly treated the riders and supporters and they took Marchant to the hospital for further care.

British Cycling confirmed that they suspended racing for the evening with WBD Sports, British Cycling, Lee Valley VeloPark and the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) collectively making the decision. Furthermore, they extended their best wishes for a speedy recovery to the riders and affected spectators. This accident mirrored a similar incident at the venue during the 2022 Commonwealth Games when England’s Matt Walls flew over the barriers into the crowd after a multi-rider crash.

In response to safety concerns, Lee Valley VeloPark installed a 1.4-metre barrier this year at a cost of £250,000 to prevent such accidents. Katy Marchant, 31, who won the Team Sprint gold at the 2024 Paris Olympics was competing in the women’s keirin when the crash occurred. British Cycling stated that they are working closely with all parties involved to review the situation and will take appropriate action. As a precaution, the suspension of racing came with the priority focused on the health and recovery of everyone involved in the crash.