Australian cyclist Henk Vogels is in hospital with a fractured vertebrae and broken ankle after crashing during the Fitchburg three-day tour in Massachusetts.

His father, Henk Senior, said the 29-year-old West Australian was in a stable condition but was in traction until the break in his spine had been assessed.

"He clipped a wheel and hit a guard rail at 108km per hour," he said.

Vogels' ankle was broken in three places and he also suffered head injuries in the crash on Saturday.

He is being treated at the University of Massachusetts Memorial Hospital.

"But the signs are good. It's only 48 hours after the event and it's not a life or death situation," his father said.

He said the seriousness of his son's spinal injury should be known on Wednesday.

Vogels has competed at five world road championships, the Commonwealth Games, on the Tour de France and was 1997 Australian Cyclist of the Year.

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