Steff Cras' horrific injuries revealed after Itzulia Basque country crash - Punctured lung, fractures in several ribs and vertebrae
Cycling
Steff Cras fractured an elbow at the 2023 Criterium du Dauphiné and only weeks after abandoned the Tour de France after colliding with a fan. Unfortunately for the TotalEnergies rider his bad luck has not ended; he suffered very extensive injuries after falling at high-speed at Itzulia Basque Country today alongside the likes of Jonas Vingegaard, Primoz Roglic, Remco Evenepoel and others.
"After further examination, Steff Cras suffers from a right pneumothorax, several associated rib fractures and two dorsal vertebral fractures, in addition to several hematomas, wounds and dermabrasions," TotalEnergies shared in a message. "Our rirder will remain hospitalized for a few days."
A brutal list of injuries for the Belgian climber who looked to race the Basque event in chase of a strong GC result, and is eyeing the Tour de France later in the summer. The latter is now at risk as he suffered a punctured lung, as well as fractured in the ribs and vertebrae. Cras one of the several riders who had to be stabilized in the location of the crash both off and on the ambulance. This is a very big hit for the French team and Cras' own stage-racing ambitions.
"Courage Steff, the whole Team is with you in this difficult moment and wishes you an excellent recovery. Thank you all for your messages of support," the team finished the statement with.
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That is horrible news. It's amazing how much damage was caused in that one incident. Wishing Steff a safe and speedy recovery.
Yes and no, they are lucky not to have hit serious obstacles. Don’t forget the speeds they’re going at, they may not be falling from heigh but hitting a deck at 60-70 with no protection whatsoever is always going to cause some serious damage, either superficial if you’re « lucky » enough to slide, or internal if you start rolling or bumping into stuff. The rolling is the worst as that linear speed translates into rotational and your limbs fly out before crushing the thorax when you next land on them.
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