Cyclist Dylan Groenewegen apologized on Thursday after causing a crash in the opening stage of the Tour of Poland which left fellow Dutchman Fabio Jakobsen in a coma. 

Groenewegen, who rides for the Jumbo–Visma team, was jostling for position with Jakobsen in the final meters of the first stage of the Tour of Poland when the pair came together. 

Jakobsen, 23, crashed into the barriers and collided with a race official. He was taken to hospital and underwent facial surgery. 

"I find it terrible what happened," Groenewegen, 27, said in a team statement. "I can't find the words to describe how sorry I am for Fabio and the others involved. 

"What matters most now is Fabio's health. I think about him all the time."  

A spokesman at the hospital where Jakobsen is being treated said the process to wake him from his coma would be "gradual" and not be complete until Friday. 

Jakobsen, considered a rising star of the sprint in the peloton, made his name in 2019 with two stage wins on the Vuelta a Espana, one of the sport's three Grand Tours. 

The race was meant to be held in July but was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It was reduced to five stages from the seven originally planned in order to leave room on the calendar for other rescheduled races. 

(With input from agencies)