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Crime & Safety

Cyclists Injured in Grand Prix Crash

Five cyclists are transported to hospital following a collision during the sprint to the finish line of the Category 4 race.

As cyclists sprinted toward the finish line of the last lap in the Category 4 race during the 50th annual  on Sunday, several riders collided, tangling their bikes and causing a massive spill of about 20 other competitors.

The serious crash occurred around 7:45 a.m. in the Grand Prix's first race of the morning and resulted in the transport of five riders to local hospitals for evaluation.

"It was pretty bad, I've been here for at least 25 years and can't remember one that bad," said Operations Director Bob Jones, who witnessed the crash. "They were all bunched up when I heard what sounded like an explosion and saw bodies laying all over Valley [Drive]."

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Rudy Ordaz, 35, was the most seriously injured of the five riders taken to hospitals. He suffered several deep lacerations on his face along with an injury to his right leg.

Ordaz was trapped in a pack of cyclists when the rider in front of him fell during the morning collision, causing Ordaz to flip head-first over the handle bars of his bike and crash into the ground. The glasses he was wearing shattered upon impact.

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The force of the overall accident was so strong that it bent several metal barricades surrounding the track when at least five other riders smashed into them.

Police at the race said that Ordaz was transported to a trauma center for his injuries, but did not release any further information regarding his condition or the condition of the other cyclists injured.

Coming up: We'll have full coverage of the Grand Prix as a community event along with a look at the other races that took place.

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