Three Team Felbermayr - Simplon Wels riders "seriously injured" after traffic accident involving drunk driver in Croatia

Continental level, Team Felbermayr - Simplon Wels have been dealt a big blow as they prepared for the 2024 season with a training camp in Croatia as three of their riders were involved in what is being described as a serious traffic accident. 

"The Wels professional cycling team drove to Zadar in Croatia yesterday for a 10-day training camp with several vehicles in preparation for the 2024 racing season," a post by the team explains. "After the snow chaos in Austria and the associated difficult road conditions were easily overcome, a serious traffic accident occurred 6km from Zadar."

In the accident, three of the team's riders were "seriously injured" whilst their car was static at a traffic light. Sadly, an approaching vehicle, driven by someone who was later tested by police and found to have been well over the legal alcohol limit, crashed head-on into the vehicle containing the Team Felbermayr - Simplon Wels trio at an estimated speed of 100km/h according to eye-witnesses. 

"We are completely shocked and hope that the injuries don't turn out to be too serious," managing director Daniel Repitz says, with all three riders having been rushed to a local hospital in an ambulance. "This is a big blow to our team."