Two main contenders in the UCI Cyclocross World Cup series crashed in the snow and ice round in Val di Sole, Italy on Saturday.

Women's series leader Femme van Empel and her teammate Eli Iserbyt of Pauwels Zausen Bingor left the race on a stretcher after the crash. However, a medical examination showed no evidence of fractures in either rider.

Van Empel, who won her first World Cup race last year in Val di Sole, struggled with the icy conditions this year and crashed in the warm-up. She got a good start but stalled again on the second lap.

Van Empel's crew feared she had broken her leg when she hit one of the heavy wooden poles lining the course and screamed in pain. Paramedics carried her off the course on a stretcher.

The 20-year-old apparently escaped serious injury. According to sport director Tom de Court, medical checks did not reveal any obvious fractures.

"It was definitely scary," she said. 'It's never good when a rider stays down. It was a serious crash and Femme was screaming in pain."

"For a while the paramedics were worried about a broken leg, but fortunately it looks ok. The doctors checked everything and gave her painkillers. She was able to move her leg and knee and eventually was able to support herself on her feet.

Van Empel will undergo a more detailed examination after returning to the Netherlands on Sunday to rule out the possibility of a fracture. 'It's probably a muscle spasm, a thigh muscle crushed between the post and the bone. It is very painful."

The Dutch rider leads the World Cup by 65 points over Val di Sole winner Pac Pieterse (Alpecin-Desseuninck).

Iserbyt won the first three World Cup races, but lost the overall lead to Lawrence Sweck in Hulst last month when he crashed on the fifth lap corner, ending his hopes of regaining the series lead.

Iserbitt, who has already struggled with a back injury this season, is in third place with 249 points, 265 behind teammate Michael Vanhollenhout, who won the Italian Grand Prix on Saturday. Swec remains in first place with 288 points.

Pauwels Sauzen Bingaert confirmed that medical checks have ruled out a fracture in Iserbitt, but he will also undergo additional tests.