The UCI said it "strongly condemns the dangerous behaviour" of Dylan Groenewegen for causing the crash at the end of the first stage of the Tour of Poland that left Fabio Jakobsen in an induced coma.

Groenewegen won the stage but was later disqualified from the race after Jakobsen was sent careering over the barriers during a sprint finish.

Several other riders were injured after crashing as the barriers split and flew across the road.

Deceuninck-Quick-Step rider Jakobsen was airlifted to hospital, as was a course-side referee, where he was later placed into an induced coma.

A statement from UCI read: "[The UCI] strongly condemns the dangerous behaviour of rider Dylan Groenewegen (Jumbo-Wisma), who sent Fabio Jakobsen (Deceuninck-Quick-Step) into the barriers a few metres from the finish, causing a collective crash at the end of the first stage of the Tour of Poland.

"Groenewegen was disqualified from the race by the commissaires' panel.

"The UCI, which considers the behaviour unacceptable, immediately referred the matter to the Disciplinary Commission to request the imposition of sanctions commensurate with the seriousness of the facts.

"Our Federation is wholeheartedly with the affected riders."

Jumbo-Wisma posted on Twitter to apologise for the incident and said an internal review will be taking place.

"Our thoughts go out to Fabio Jakobsen and other people involved in today's terrible crash in the Tour of Poland. Crashes like these should not happen," it read.

"We offer our sincere apologies and we will discuss internally what has happened before we may make any further statement. #TDP20."

Deceuninck-Quickstep posted: "Our thoughts and prayers are with Fabio Jakobsen. When we have news, we will let you know. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your support."