Fernando Alonso hospitalised following cycling accident

Alpine driver Fernando Alonso is “conscious and well in himself” after being involved in a road cycling accident, according to his team – with the Spaniard due to undergo further medical examinations on Friday morning.

The two-time champion, who’s currently preparing for a return to Formula 1 after two seasons out of the sport, was caught up in the cycling crash while riding his road bike in Switzerland, after which he was taken to hospital.

A statement from his team said: “Alpine F1 Team can confirm that Fernando Alonso has been involved in a road accident while cycling in Switzerland.

“Fernando is conscious and well in himself and is awaiting further medical examinations tomorrow morning.”

The team added that it would provide more details on Friday morning following an additional medical exam for Alonso.

The news will create worries for the Alpine squad, who are currently in the process of preparing for testing at Bahrain in just over a month’s time on March 12-14 – with Alonso set to contest his first F1 race since the 2018 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix two weeks after at the same track.

Italy’s Gazzetta dello Sport newspaper reported earlier that the Spaniard had been hit by a car while training on his bike near Lugano and was taken to hospital.