Video: Otley’s Lizzie Armitstead injured in finish-line crash

Armitstead, 23, had just crossed the finishing line in Aldeburgh when organisers said the 26-year-old Boels Dolmans rider “appeared to lose control and veer left”.

She then hit photographers stationed at the side of the road and hit the ground, followed by a handful of other competitors in the chasing pack.

Medical treatment was administered on site before Armitstead, whose honours include Olympic silver in the road race at London 2012 and gold at last year’s Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, was collected by ambulance.

Reporters at the scene said she was given oxygen and was on her side for 30 minutes before being taken away, wearing a head brace.

In an official statement the Women’s Tour said: “After crossing the line with her arms in the air stage winner Lizzie Armitstead appeared to lose control and veer left, clipping photographers positioned beyond the finish line.

“Lizzie was immediately attended to by race medical staff at the finish line who dealt with the incident before being taken to hospital.

“Everyone from the Aviva Women’s Tour wishes Lizzie all the best for a speedy recovery and will make no further comment at this stage.”

British Cycling tweeted: “Best wishes to Britain’s Lizzie Armitstead who won has won stage one of the Women’s Tour but has crashed after the finish line.”

Armitstead was considered a leading contender for the five-stage Women’s Tour.

British Cycling tweeted: “Best wishes to Britain’s Lizzie Armitstead who won has won stage one of the Women’s Tour but has crashed after the finish line.”

Born on December 18 1988 in Otley, Armitstead went to school at Prince Henry’s Grammar. The future Olympic medallist took up cycling after a visit to her school by the British Cycling Olympic Talent Team in 2004. She was talent spotted out on the school’s playing fields at the age of 15.

Twice an under-23 champion, she became a household name after being the first of many Britons to win a medal at London 2012, with a silver in the Women’s Road Race.

Competing in the inaugural La Course by Le Tour de France in 2014, she was in with a chance of winning before crashing with 1km to go. She recovered by winning gold at the 2014 Glasgow Commonwealth Games, again in the road race.