Michael Valgren fearing illness and retirement following brutal hip injuries

Michael Valgren is one of Denmark's most reputable and talented riders of the last generation, but currently he is fighting for his career after a recent crash has seen a surge of health complications which feature chances of him not being able to return to his competitive level.

"They can't determine whether I suffer from necrosis at the moment, but the doctor has told me there is a risk," he told TV2 Sport. "They can't really tell this until after three to six months. If there is necrosis, it would mean that there is a dead spot on the bone. Then at some point you have to have an artificial hip placed, since there is no longer any blood supply to the bone," he explained.

Valgren crashed down a ravine during the fourth stage of La Route d'Occitanie, an accident that has seen him suffer from a dislocated hip and broken pelvis. Two months have passed, he's been operated on the injured hip but has fear of an illness that would have him in need of a hip replacement. "I think that fifteen to twenty percent of people with the same operation will get an artificial hip," he explained. 

Although low, the chances exist and there is concern over his continuation in professional cycling. If he is to get a necessary surgery his comeback is all but assured: “Is it possible? I think so, I don't really know. I have no control over it, so I'd rather not focus on it," he said. "The doctor says it's normal for my hip to look like this right now, as I'm not using the muscles and bones right now. So no blood is added.”

“After a while, we'll have to see how it evolves. I'm not nervous, the doctor assured me that my hip currently looks as it should. It is important to keep a close eye on it. There will be another check in six weeks," he concluded, with a positive outlook.