Mark Cavendish thanked the staff and supporters of the Ghent University Hospital where he is being treated for injuries sustained in Sunday's big crash in the Ghent 6 race. The British sprinter is recovering from two broken ribs and a collapsed lung and will stay in the hospital for "a couple of nights."

"I am just overwhelmed and grateful for all the support and encouragement. I'm so grateful," Cavendish posted on Twitter on Monday.

"After water on the course, a high speed crash, and a few barrel rolls, I am being treated for broken ribs and a pneumothorax. It's a little sore, but two nights with the wonderful staff at the University Hospital @uzgent here in Ghent will fix it????"

Cavendish had passed medical tests immediately after the crash, but was taken to the University Hospital of Ghent, where medical checks revealed the extent of his injuries, including two left-sided ribs and a small pneumothorax. He was placed in ICU for observation on Sunday night.

Deceuninck-QuickStep said the team had expected Cavendish to be discharged Monday or Tuesday, but Cavendish then revealed that he would stay in the hospital at least one more night and then recuperate.

Cavendish was racing with Deceuninck-QuickStep teammate Iljo Keisse when he crashed early on Sunday in Madison, the final round of the Ghent Six. Lasse Norman Hansen also crashed, but was able to continue racing when the race resumed after a 40-minute delay due to course repairs.

Cavendish stood up after the crash and waved to the crowd for reassurance, but was later carried off the course on a stretcher and taken to the hospital. His wife, Peta Todd, posted on social media Sunday night about Cavendish's condition, much to the delight of fans.

"Thanks for all the messages. Mark is spending the night in the ICU after his accident today. Thank you to all the medical staff who helped us today and rushed in to help me and the kids," Todd wrote.