World champion Julien Alaphilippe (Quick Step-Alphavinil) was involved in a group crash on the Col du Rosier in Liège-Bastogne-Liège, suffering a fractured scapula, two broken ribs and a collapsed lung.

The world champion, along with more than a dozen other leading riders, including Tom Pidcock of Ineos Grenadiers, crashed with 62 km to go. Team DSM's Romain Bardet was also involved in the crash, but he went down a steep embankment to help his compatriot Alaphilippe.

According to France Télévisions, Alaphilippe was conscious in the ambulance when he was taken to the hospital, but complained of back pain. Also present were Rigoberto Uran, Odd Iking, Ben Healy, Simon Carr, Ruben Guerreiro (EF Education-Easy Post), Jos van Emden (Jumbo-Visma), Wilco Kelderman (Bora-Hansgrohe), Alejandro Valverde ( Movistar) and Bauke Mollema (Trek-Segafredo) were also involved in the crash.

After the race, teammate Remco Evenpole won the Côte de la Redoute with a 29 km solo ride. Quick-Step Alfa Vinyl confirmed to Cycling News that Alaphilippe is stable in the hospital but suffered multiple fractures as a result of the crash. Teammate Ilan Van Wilder also suffered a broken jaw. [Julian Alaphilippe broke two ribs and a shoulder blade. The ribs also punctured his lung, causing a bloody pneumothorax," a team statement said.

"Ilan unfortunately broke his jaw in a pile-up in the middle of the peloton 62 km from the finish.

"Both will travel by ambulance to Hellenthal for further examination and treatment.

Two Arkea Samsic players were also injured, Elie Gesbert fractured his hip and Lukasz Ousian dislocated his shoulder.

Total Energy's Jeremy Cabot was taken to the hospital, while teammates Fabian Dubay and Cristian Rodriguez also fell but escaped serious injury.