Racing

John Degenkolb remains in hospital after training ride crash

Paris-Roubaix champion has successful surgery, four team-mates able to return home

Paris-Roubaix champion John Degenkolb remains in hospital after successful surgery following a training crash with Giant-Alpecin, but four of his team-mates have returned home.

Six riders were taken to hospital on Saturday after a head-on collision with a car while out riding at the team training camp near Calpe, Spain.

John Degenkolb remains in hospital after a car crashed into six Giant-Alpecin riders on a training ride, but the German has had successful surgery on his injuries (pic: Sirotti)

All six, according to a team press release, were riding side-by-side on their own side of the road when the incident happened with the six taken to two separate hospitals.

Warren Barguil, Fredrik Ludvigsson, Ramon Sinkeldam and Max Walscheid were able to leave hospital on Sunday but Degenkolb and Chad Haga – who was airlifted to hospital and needed surgery on his neck and chin – remain hospitalised.

After yesterdays horrible crash I want to thank everybody for the nice messages. I’ve got stiches and a sore body, but okay and on my way!

— Ramon Sinkeldam (@RSinkeldam) January 24, 2016

Both have had successful surgeries, but Haga must remain in hospital to await surgery on an orbital fracture while Degenkolb will return to Germany to start his recovery in a few days.

Team physician Anko Boelens confirmed: “Chad did well over the night. He had a successful surgery on his neck and chin wounds and is completely approachable.

“In several days to one week, he will have surgery on his orbital fracture too. Until then, and to recover following the orbital surgery, he will stay in the hospital for treatment.

“After yesterday’s successful surgery on a cut in his upper leg, John had operations on his hand and fractured forearm this morning, which were successful. He will travel to Germany in the next few days for further treatment to his arm and hand.

“Then he will also start his recovery process. His immediate focus will be on recovery, which will take time, but it’s difficult to make an estimation at this point.”

The team were at their winter training camp when the incident happened. Four of the six riders have been able to leave hospital (pic: Giant-Alpecin)

Of the other riders, Barguil suffered a fractured scaphoid, Walscheid a fractured hand and tibia and Ludvigsson and Sinkeldam heavy bruising and scratches.

Iwan Spekenbrink, Giant-Alpecin CEO, said: “Obviously yesterday’s accident had a huge impact on the team. The recovery of the riders is the first priority, as well as the emotional processing of the event for those who were there.

“It is clear that the team has been set back some months. It will certainly take time for the team to return to full strength, but everybody will work hard, dedicated and closely together to get there.”