Injured cyclist undergoes surgery

Alexis Rhodes (above) is one of five Australian cyclists receiving hospital treatment

One of the elite Australian cyclists in a critical condition after being hit by a car while training in Germany has undergone emergency surgery.

Alexis Rhodes, 20, suffered chest and lung injuries and concussion in Monday's accident, which killed 29-year-old Amy Gillett.

Louise Yaxley, 23, has extensive kidney and liver damage, head injuries and broken legs and is critical but stable.

Three other riders in the group have multiple injuries but are stable.

Lorian Graham, 27, Katie Brown, 22, and 20-year-old Kate Nichols have numerous injuries, including broken bones.

All five cyclists are being treated at the Jena University Hospital in eastern Germany following the collision with a car between the towns of Zeulenroda and Auma.

I've been around bikes and bike riders a while now - but there's nothing in the world that prepares you for the carnage I witnessed Australia team coach Warren McDonald

Memorial services were held on Wednesday in Australia and Germany for Gillett, who died instantly.

Team coach Warren McDonald, who was travelling in a car behind the riders, described the scene as "like watching tenpins crashing at a bowling alley".

He told the Australian newspaper: "I've been around bikes and bike riders a while now - but there's nothing in the world that prepares you for the carnage I witnessed."

McDonald said he saw the car approach at about 100kph and spin out of control after hitting gravel.

This is potentially the biggest tragedy to have hit the sport in this country Cycling Australia statement

The disaster has rocked Australia's cycling community.

The Australian Institute of Sport, to which the women belonged, suspended its road cycling programme indefinitely.

The death and injuries are "potentially the biggest tragedy to have hit the sport in this country", Cycling Australia said in a statement.

"It will take a long time to get over it," Cycling Australia president Mike Victor told The Australian.

"We were counting on them to take over the mantle in the years to come."

Gillett's husband Simon left Melbourne on Wednesday to bring his wife's body home.

"I just want go over there," he told ABC radio. "I need to see her team-mates, I need to see the coach, I just want to bring her home."

Gillett, who represented Australia at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics in rowing before switching sports, survived a high-speed cycling crash in her first major race in Australia in 2001.

Despite multiple skull fractures and bruising to the brain, she was back on her bike within five months.

"She was totally dedicated to her sport," her father Denis Safe told The Australian. "We're just devastated at the moment."