Warning: Graphic Content
Italian cyclist Lorenzo Gobbo is in intensive care after having his lung punctured by a piece of wood which came loose from the track.
The 17-year-old was cycling at the European Under-23 and Junior track Championships in Ghent, Belgium, on Friday (July 12) when the incident occurred.
Gobbo was cycling in the scratch race of the men’s junior omnium when a number of riders came together and there was a crash. One of the competitor’s pedals went into the track, dislodging a half-a-metre long piece of wood.
Incredible quello che è successo ieri in pista a Gand per #LorenzoGobbo che caduto assieme ad altri è stato trafitto da un listello di legno staccato dalla pista. Ricoverato in ospedale ed operato dovrà starci per circa 15 giorni. Buona guarigione #amoilciclismo pic.twitter.com/CAnFZhzWed
— Michele Malfatti (@MichGPS) July 13, 2019
The rider fell onto the wood and it cut his thigh and pierced through his side, puncturing a lung.
The 17-year-old was rushed from the scene before undergoing three hours of surgery at Jan Palfijn hospital to remove the giant splinter from his body.
Frank Glorieux, chief executive of meet organisers Cycling Vlaanderen, went to visit Gobbo on Saturday and told BBC Sport the teenager is recovering well and that the rider was awake with his parents alongside him.
Spaventoso incidente agli #Europei #pista per Lorenzo #Gobbo, trafitto al polmone. Tre ore di intervento è fuori pericolohttps://t.co/52kK3eaOq4 pic.twitter.com/K4WKyOm58Z
— BICITV (@bicitv) July 12, 2019
He added:
After the operation he is recovering well but stays in intensive care to prevent infections.
BICITV report Gobbo never lost consciousness and explained health care workers managed to contain the bleeding. As per Metro Glorieux told Belgian broadcaster Sporza how the cyclist had wished he’d made headlines for a more positive reason.
The chief executive explained:
He is in intensive care.
He has not had the best night, but he has no fever and is progressing well. There is a chance that he may go to a normal room tomorrow.
Extremely weird incident yesterday in Gent for Lorenzo Gobbo, luckily he's fine and already got surgery! pic.twitter.com/ThbUSULyPp
— Ciclismo-Espresso (@CiclismoEspreso) July 13, 2019
Glorieux continued:
He said he would have won rather than make the newspapers this way. He could still laugh, but he doesn’t want to ride on the track for the time being. He will have to find his courage.
He should recover completely, but there is a long recovery time ahead for him.
Hopefully Gobbo will make a full and fast recovery.
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Emily Brown first began delivering important news stories aged just 13, when she launched her career with a paper round. She graduated with a BA Hons in English Language in the Media from Lancaster University, and went on to become a freelance writer and blogger. Emily contributed to The Sunday Times Travel Magazine and Student Problems before becoming a journalist at UNILAD, where she works on breaking news as well as longer form features.