Wiggins and coach both put in hospital by separate collisions

Wiggins, 32, suffered a bruised hand and ribs in his collision with a van near his home in Lancashire on Wednesday evening but was allowed home yesterday and is expected to make a full recovery.

Great Britain Cycling Team head coach Sutton, 55, sustained a small bleed on the brain in a crash with a car in Manchester yesterday and is expected to remain in hospital for several days.

Australian-born Sutton has worked with the British team since 2002 and has been credited with playing a major role in transforming the fortunes of the sport in this country – including helping Wiggins to many successes including the world’s toughest bike race and this year’s time trial gold medal at the London Olympics.

Wiggins was taken by ambulance to Royal Preston Hospital following his crash in the village of Wrightington.

The incident happened when the female driver of a white Vauxhall Astra Envoy drove out of a garage forecourt. It was reported that Wiggins was riding a mountain bike to meet a group of local cyclists near his home.

A British Cycling spokeswoman said: “It is extremely rare that our riders and coaches are hurt while out cycling on the road, even rarer that two incidents should occur in a short space of time, and we wish Shane and Bradley a speedy recovery. Cycling is not an intrinsically dangerous activity but there is much more to be done to improve conditions for cyclists on the roads.”