Cavendish overwhelmed by support after crash
Mark Cavendish said he was “overwhelmed” by the support and well-wishes he has received after suffering a collapsed lung and two broken ribs in a crash during the Ghent Six Day track event.
Cavendish spent the night in the intensive care unit of a Belgian hospital after leaving the velodrome on a stretcher, but is expected to be discharged soon.
HepostedapictureonTwitter of himself in a hospital bed, smiling and giving a thumbs up, along with the message: “Just want to say how overwhelmed and thankful I am for all the support and wellwishes. So Zesdaagse Gent didn’t end the way we’d have preferred,Ithinkit’sfairtosay.
“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.
“Inabitofpain,butacouple of nights with the incredible staffhereatGhentbyUniversityHospitalshouldsortmeout.”
A statement from Cavendish’s team DeceuninckQuickStep said: “Following his crash at the Ghent Six Day, Mark Cavendish was taken to the Ghent University Hospital where he was kept overnight.
“Examinationsshowedthat Mark has suffered two broken ribs on this left side and has a small pneumothorax, both of which have been treated with medication and he has been kept in the hospital for observation. Everybody at Deceuninck-QuickStep wishes Mark a speedy recovery.”
Cavendish, who was racing in the event alongside teammateIljoKeisse,wasoneofseveral riders to crash in the final race.The36-year-oldstoodand waved to spectators following the incident, but was then put onastretcherandtakentohospital.