Updated May 03, 2017 13:33:30

The notorious Red Hook Crit has maintained its reputation for horrific crashes with a monster pile-up in this year's women's race.

The high-speed, fixed-gear criterium race in Brooklyn saw dozens of cyclists go down in a nasty collision at the start of the Brooklyn Number 10.

It is not entirely clear what caused the carnage, but Virginia Cancellieri appeared to cop the worst of it.

The Italian plummeted over her handlebars and onto the road and said on Instagram she tore the ligament off her ankle in the crash.

She was joined on the bitumen by a host of riders and gave the thumbs up to fellow racer Alexandra Reich.

The race start was neutralised and eventually recommenced without Cancellieri in the 60-rider field.

It was not the only crash of the day, with LA Sweat rider Ashley Faye coming unstuck two laps from the end of the race, causing another minor pile-up.

"My wheel just slipped and gave me some roadrash as a New York souvenir," she wrote on Instagram.

French cyclist Camille Udny rode into the back of Faye and went tumbling to the ground.

"So sorry for your flying lesson!" Faye said.

This year's demolition derby came after some equally brutal scenes in the 2016 edition.

During last year's men's race, a pacing motorcycle stalled around a bend and a huge portion of the field rode into the back of the bike.

Topics: cycling, sport, united-states

First posted May 03, 2017 10:55:48