John Degenkolb describes the extent of his injuries after Giant-Alpecin training crash
Giant-Alpecin rider John Degenkolb says that one of his fingers was all but severed when a car hit the team during training and thanks well-wishers
John Degenkolb has described the extent of the injuries he sustained when a car hit the Giant-Alpecin team when they were out training in Calpe, Spain, on Saturday afternoon.
The 27-year-old German said that he sustained injuries to his thigh, forearm, lip and one of his fingers suffered a deep laceration to the extent that it was virtually severed.
Degenkolb gave thanks for the many messages of support that he had received from fans and said via his Facebook page: "I'm all right, considering the circumstances."
>>> John Degenkolb among Giant-Alpecin riders seriously injured after training camp collision
According to the 2015 Paris-Roubaix and Milan-San Remo champion, he wrote the Facebook message while in an ambulance travelling to Valencia for specialist surgery to re-attach his finger.
"Now I'm in the ambulance heading to Valencia, where in a larger hospital my left index finger should be restored," Degenkolb said. "It's just hung on to the last corner of my hand."
Six of the team's riders were taken to hospital with injuries: Degenkolb, Warren Barguil, Chad Haga, Fredrik Ludvigsson, Ramon Sinkeldam and Max Walscheid. Haga was reportedly air-lifted to hospital after suffering serious injuries.
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
The Giant-Alpecin team issued a statement on Saturday evening, giving some more information on how the incident occurred: "During the training ride a car coming the other direction drove into the group of riders head on. The riders were riding side by side on their own side of the road."
Spanish media report that the driver was a British national.
>>> Rivals send support after Giant-Alpecin riders hospitalised in training crash
The cycling world has reacted with deep shock to the incident, with many professional riders, teams, fans and people in and out of the cycling industry offering messages of support to those affected.
Thank you for reading 20 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
Nigel Wynn worked as associate editor on CyclingWeekly.com, he worked almost single-handedly on the Cycling Weekly website in its early days. His passion for cycling, his writing and his creativity, as well as his hard work and dedication, were the original driving force behind the website’s success. Without him, CyclingWeekly.com would certainly not exist on the size and scale that it enjoys today. Nigel sadly passed away, following a brave battle with a cancer-related illness, in 2018. He was a highly valued colleague, and more importantly, an exceptional person to work with - his presence is sorely missed.
-
‘I am in love with Unbound Gravel’ - new documentary celebrates three unsung and behind-the-scenes heroes of race
Shimano's new documentary 'Unsung' shares the stories of three "behind-the-scenes" people who make Unbound Gravel happen each year: a sports photographer, a bike mechanic, and an event organizer.
By Kristin Jenny Published
-
'One of the boys thinks I’ll be walking about in armour': Mark Cavendish knighted in ceremony at Windsor Castle
Manxman says he was “nervous” after being made a Knight Commander by Prince William
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Leo Hayter leaves DSM Development Team early to join Hagens Berman Axeon
British U23 time trial champion moves to American development squad after split opinion over future
By Adam Becket Published
-
Cees Bol: Negative comments from unamed DSM riders 'difficult to read'
Dutch sprinter says that it is difficult to read criticisms of the team
By Adam Becket Published
-
Romain Bardet says leaving DSM riders' comments 'not easy to understand' after 'Soviet regime' remarks
Multiple riders have broken their contracts over the years with an unnamed rider calling it a "Soviet regime"
By Tim Bonville-Ginn Published
-
'The hardest and easiest decision I've had to make': Nicholas Roche retires after 17 years
The Irishman has raced for some of the biggest names in cycling throughout his career
By Tim Bonville-Ginn Published
-
Team DSM rider files police complaint after being throttled by angry motorist
The driver is said to have objected to the cyclist riding side-by-side with another rider
By Jonny Long Published
-
Sunweb’s Edo Maas shares video of himself walking with help of bionic legs
Sunweb’s Edo Maas has shared a video of himself taking his first steps since suffering an awful crash, assisted by a set of bionic legs.
By Alex Ballinger Published
-
Sunweb rider Edo Maas may never walk again after crash
Sunweb rider Edo Maas may never walked again after he crashed into a car that had entered the course during a race.
By Alex Ballinger Published
-
Tom Dumoulin’s departure from Sunweb ‘far from settled’
Tom Dumoulin’s departure from Sunweb is “far from settled,” according to Dutch media.
By Alex Ballinger Published