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Belgian Boeckmans in coma after Vuelta crash

Lotto-Soudal rider Kris Boeckmans of Belgium rests after a team training session on the eve of La Vuelta cycling race, in Malaga, southern Spain, August 21, 2015. REUTERS/Jon Nazca (Reuters)

MADRID (Reuters) - Belgian Kris Boeckmans is in an induced coma after crashing on the eighth stage of the Tour of Spain on Saturday, a 182.5-km ride from Puebla de Don Fadrique to Murcia. "Kris Boeckmans has a severe facial trauma with several fractures and will probably need surgery," his Belgian team Lotto-Soudal said on their Twitter feed. "He has concussion, 3 broken ribs and bleeding in his lung. He is now being kept in an induced coma for a few days." Boeckmans was one of several riders to crash with about 50-km left in the stage won by Belgian Jasper Stuyven of the Trek Factory team.