Stefan Küng's hopes of becoming European Championship individual time-trial champion were dramatically brought to an end with a brutal crash that left him bloodied.
Although the crash ended his hopes of victory and split open his helmet, Kung remounted him bike and soldiered on to finish his effort, placing in eleventh position overall. Since 2021 though, the UCI has had a protocol in place for circumstances such as this where a is suspected of a concussion. Riders must first be assessed by a medical expert, for example if their helmet is broken or if they have had a really serious fall.
As this vital step following a crash was not followed and it later turned out that Kung had indeed suffered a concussion, the UCI are now pressing the Swiss cycling federation for answers.
According to the Danish Ekstra Bladet, the UCI has made contact with Swiss Cycling, asking why Kung was allowed to continue in such a state. If it does turn out properly protocol was not followed, serious consequences could be brought against them.
#cyclingeuro2023 #stefankung
— SportOut (@italia_video) September 21, 2023
l'incredibile caduta di Kung alla crono pic.twitter.com/9vRXK4b3o7