Junior track cyclist in intensive care after lung punctured by half-metre splinter
Warning: Graphic content showing the 17-year-old rider impaled by half-metre splinter
An Italian cyclist is in intensive care after his lung was punctured by a piece of track at the under-23 junior track championships in Ghent, Belgium.
Lorenzo Gobbo, 17, crashed during the scratch race of the men's junior omnium and his thigh and side were pierced by the wooden track.
The piece of wooden track is said to be half a metre long and was caused by a rider ahead of Gobbo had crashing and his pedal churning up a piece of the track, which Gobbo then fell on.
Gobbo was rushed to hospital where a surgeon removed the wood, with the young Italian placed in intensive care to prevent infections.
Workers set about repairing the section of damaged track at the Vlaams Wielercentrum Eddy Merckx. Gobbo is said to be awake with his parents at his side as his condition is closely monitored.
Frank Glorieux, the director of the track, told Belgian broadcaster Sporza: "He is in intensive care. He has not had the best night but has no fever and is progressing well. There is a chance that he may go to a normal room tomorrow.
"He said he would have won rather than make the newspapers this way. He could still laugh, but he doesn't want to ride on the track for the time being. He will have to find his courage. He should recover completely, but there is a long recovery time ahead for him."
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
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
Hi. I'm Cycling Weekly's Weekend Editor. I like writing offbeat features and eating too much bread when working out on the road at bike races.
Before joining Cycling Weekly I worked at The Tab and I've also written for Vice, Time Out, and worked freelance for The Telegraph (I know, but I needed the money at the time so let me live).
I also worked for ITV Cycling between 2011-2018 on their Tour de France and Vuelta a España coverage. Sometimes I'd be helping the producers make the programme and other times I'd be getting the lunches. Just in case you were wondering - Phil Liggett and Paul Sherwen had the same ham sandwich every day, it was great.
-
TV coverage of a bike race can leave you with a strange impression of a country
TV footage is deceptive so choose your illusion wisely
By Michael Hutchinson Published
-
Mathieu van der Poel dominates in Leuven to win Gravel World Championships
The Dutchman adds another World Championship title to his palmarès as he solos to victory in the Flemish Brabant
By Joseph Lycett Published