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Peninsula Woman On Life Support After Bike Race Crash

FRESNO (CBS / AP) -- A crash during a Central California bicycle race over the weekend has left a San Mateo County woman on life support.

Crystel Stanford, 29, crashed while riding downhill in the 100-mile Fresno Classic Century on Saturday. The California Highway Patrol said Stanford applied the brakes on her bike, skidded and was thrown to the ground.

Stanford's family told the Fresno Bee the San Carlos woman remains on life support at Community Regional Medical Center even though she is brain-dead. They say they plan to donate her organs.

A separate crash during the event left Jim Cameron, 49, of Clovis in serious condition when he crashed into a road sign after getting a flat tire.

Nancy Talley, assistant director of the Eye-Q California Classic, which organized the race, said the crashes were accidents and were not caused by the large number of cyclists.

More than 1,000 riders participated, with some riding shorter 60-mile and 35-mile versions of the race.

(Copyright 2011 by CBS San Francisco. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Wire services may have contributed to this report.)

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