Max Walscheid was hospitalized Thursday after being struck by a car driver while training in his native Germany.

The Cofidis rider was airlifted to the nearest hospital after the "violent" collision. He does not appear to have suffered serious injuries, but is being held at the hospital for further examination.

Valscheidt was competing in the Classic Bourges des Pannees in Belgium on Wednesday and was on a recovery ride near his home in Franken when a car suddenly swerved and plowed into him, a statement from Cofidis explained.

"It was a quiet road and the conditions were perfect. Luckily, I wasn't going very fast and was on the side of the road. A car came from the opposite direction. It made a sharp right turn and came at me without giving me any instructions, and we collided. There was nothing I could do," Valscheid said. [It hit me head-on. I went over the top of the car and fell a few feet away. Luckily, it was on the curb, not on the pavement. My bike was completely broken 10 meters away. Ambulances and police came to my aid immediately. I was then taken to the hospital, admitted to the emergency room, and scanned all over."

So far, no broken bones have been found and he has not lost consciousness. However, due to the severity of the impact, he is under observation at the hospital and further tests of his head, lungs and heart are scheduled.

Warscheid lamented that his rich vein of form, which included a win at the recent GP Dunant and a second-place finish at Nokele Kolece, was up in the air. But above all, he considered himself lucky to be alive.

"The first thing that comes to mind is that I was incredibly lucky to have survived this accident," Valscheid said.

"I still can't believe that I didn't suffer more serious injuries. It's unbelievable. At the same time, I had done well in the race and could have done more. But right now, more than anything, I'm just happy that I'm still alive."