70 hurt after mass crash at Germany's Riderman cycle race

Some 70 participants have been injured at a cycling race in south-western Germany, reported dpa.

A spokesman for the police described it as a "mass crash" at the "Riderman" event near the town of Bad Dürrheim to the east of the Black Forest in the state of Baden-Württemberg.

According to reports, up to 20 participants were seriously injured. Up to 25 with minor injuries are being treated on-site and taken to hospital. A further approximately 35 race participants are also believed to have been slightly injured.

The police stated that a final number of injured could not initially be provided.

According to the police, the first mass crashes occurred between Bad Dürrheim and the small village of Biesingen in a left-hand bend because too many riders arrived at the same time, which triggered uncontrolled falls.

"A large number of the cyclists crashed into each other on the road," it was stated in a report. Subsequently, there was another jam among the riders, and again numerous participants fell.

The accidents triggered a major deployment of rescue forces. Four rescue helicopters and a large number of ambulances were at the scene of the accident.

The police ruled out any external influence on the race events.

Following the accidents, all race events were cancelled by the organizer, and the ongoing races were stopped and ended.

The Riderman is one of the best-known amateur cycling races in southern Germany and attracts hundreds of participants every year.