The opening Madison of the 100th Ghent Six Day was interrupted by a fiery crash on Tuesday in which Stein Steels suffered injuries, including a fractured vertebra.

The pileup occurred midway through the first major points-scoring event of the evening for the elite men. Jules Hester and Tim Torn-Teutenberg, who were racing in yellow for Sport Vlaanderen, failed to cross and both fell.

Fabio van den Bossche entered at high speed from behind and tried to evade, but slipped into Stiels' path, causing Stiels to fall head first on the steeply banked track.

Stiels was carried away on a stretcher, but although in pain, he was conscious and waved off the cheering spectators.

Examination at the hospital revealed that he had fractured two vertebrae and three ribs, as well as a contused lung.

"The fractures are stable and do not require surgery or further intervention at this time," a statement from Steele's Quick Step Alpha Vinyl team said.

Steele's himself has already released a message from his hospital bed.

"The scan did not bring good news. With heart pain (and the rest of my body) I have to give up in 6 days," he wrote on social media.

"Thanks so much to everyone who supported me.

The race resumed on Tuesday, with Lindsey de Vilder and Rob Giss (Barroise Insurance) taking 20 points to win the last Ghent Six Day, ahead of local heroes Iljo Keisse and Lot Souda/Quick Step teammate Yasper de Buisto won the race.

Van den Bossche finished third with Belgacrima/DS Plastics teammate Yoeli Havik after a neutral. Hesters and Teutenberg finished fourth, while Stiels and teammate Sylvain Dirier finished three laps behind.