Five-time Irish National Champion cyclist Matt Brammeier is lucky to be alive after smashing into the side of a car during a race at the weekend.
Brammeier, who cycles for the South African ProContinental team MTN-Qhubeka, was participating in stage 6 of the Tour of Utah and the crash occurred while descending from Guardsman Pass in Big Cottonwood Canyon.
The cyclist approached a severe bend at a dangerously high speed and appeared in danger of going off the road and into the canyon.
Instead he crashed into the side of a service car on and was tossed into the air by the force of the impact.
Miraculously, he survived the crash. He sustained severe injuries to his pelvis, ribs and one of his lungs and remains in hospital, but he is described as being in a stable condition and is unlikely to need surgery.
Brammeier tweeted a picture of himself in hospital, captioning it: “All good in the hood guys”.
All good in the hood guys. Thanks for the messages. pic.twitter.com/SGB8NEssCF
— Matt Brammeier (@Mattbrammeier85) August 9, 2015
The teak-tough cyclist has experience of recovering from serious injury. In 2007 he was hit by a cement mixer while training.
He broke both legs and was told he was unlikely to race again. Brammeier was back in the saddle five months later.
H/T: Velonews