CAV’S ON MEND AFTER BREAKING RIBS IN CRASH
MARK CAVENDISH suffered a collapsed lung and two broken ribs in his crash during the Ghent Six Day track event. The Manxman, who was racing in the Madison on Sunday night with his Deceuninck Quick-Step team-mate Iljo Keisse, saw world champion Lasse Norman Hansen crash right in front of him in the final race. Helpless, Cavendish rode into the Dane’s bike and was sent flying. He stood and waved to spectators, but was put on a stretcher and taken to Ghent University
Hospital, where he spent a night in intensive care. It is expected that he will be released soon. The 36-year-old tweeted last night: ‘Just want to say how overwhelmed and thankful I am for all the support and well-wishes. Some water on the track, a high-speed crash and a few barrel rolls later, I’m being treated for some broken
ribs and a pneumothorax. In a bit of pain, but a couple of nights with the incredible staff here at Ghent University Hospital should sort me out.’ His wife Peta added: ‘Thank you to all the medical staff that helped us today and also to the staff that sprung into action to help me and the kids.’ In an interview with the Times, Cavendish described Ghent’s 166-metre velodrome as like being on a ‘wall of death’, admitting he was ‘petrified’ of it after a crash two years ago.
The three-time Madison world champion remains keen on track racing, and was using the event to bring down the curtain on a fairytale year. He signed a contract on cycling’s minimum wage with Deceuninck Quick-Step and then used an unexpected late call-up to the Tour de France to win four stages as he matched Eddy Merckx’s all-time record of 34 victories in the race. Cavendish is in talks with the Belgian team and is expected to sign a new one-year deal.