Matt Brammeier has tweeted a photograph of the Porsche support car he collided with during the Tour of Utah, causing the Irishman to sustain serious injuries including fractured ribs and pelvis, and a bruised liver.
The 30-year-old MTN-Qhubeka pro tweeted the image on Friday morning, saying: "A tactical headbutt to the crumple zone. I gave you a run for your money @Porsche but I think you won the Joust :-)".
The dent in the rear wing clearly show the point of impact with the vehicle. Brammeier was taken to the University of Utah hospital in Salt Lake City for examination and treatment. MTN-Qhubeka team medic Dr Jarrad van Zuydam said directly after the incident that Brammeier "suffered no head, neck or spinal injuries" but that he may require surgery.
Brammeier hit the Porsche on a tight left-hand hairpin bend during the American stage race on August 9. Video footage taken by a road-side spectator later emerged, showing the incident with sickening clarity.
Brammeier had been due to make his Grand Tour debut at the Vuelta a España. It is expected that he will take six to eight weeks to recover, and will not return to racing this season.
Now back in Britain, Brammeier said via a team statement: "I’m still in a fair bit of pain, but over all, considering what I just hobbled away from I can’t grumble for one second.
"I’m just happy to be in one piece and to be back home with my family and Fiancée [cyclist Nikki Harris] and looking forward to starting my recovery process already. I’ve had one of my most enjoyable years of my life this year with the team and I can’t thank them enough for all they have done for me so far."
