"Cycling is a relentless sport" - No broken bones but a broken heart for Mattias Skjelmose after crashing out of Paris-Nice
Cycling
Denmark started Paris-Nice with two major contenders for victory and they have both crashed out of the race. After Jonas Vingegaard, Mattias Skjelmose also suffered a crash that forced him to leave the race, although the latter caused more worries due to the harshness of his fall.
"The dream of a podium spot was snatched away from me when I crashed today with 50 km to go," the Dane wrote in an Instagram post. "After some time in the hospital in Nice, I am now discharged. I’ve had stitches in my elbow, heavy blows to my right knee and hip, and an injury to my back. Therefore, I will also be checked by specialists when I return to Andorra in the coming week".
Skjelmose crashed with just over 50 kilometers to go on stage 7, a day where he was among the main favourites and looking to defend his position on the podium. Nothing would've prepared him for the crash that would take him out of the race with several injuries - although luckily for him, the lack of fractures means the recovery period won't be as long as it would otherwise.
The Lidl-Trek riderr crashed into road furniture that was not visible, and hit his head hard on the ground, where he stayed for several minutes. It were injuries on his arms and legs that caused the most concern in the American team camp however, but he has not sustained serious injuries.
"Cycling is a relentless sport. One day you feel great, the next everything can change in a split second," he laments. "But you have to remember that the battles to overcome setbacks are just as important as the victory itself. In the end, cycling is like life itself - an unpredictable battle where sometimes you win and sometimes you learn to get up after falling. Now it’s about looking forward and recovering as soon as possible. Thanks for all the messages".
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I was watching the race live, and it seems like this crash could have been avoided. A pre-race course inspection and appropriate signage.
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