ENGLAND cyclist Joe Truman was knocked unconscious and believed to have fractured his collarbone in a horrific Velodrome crash.
Truman, 25, was accidentally wiped out by Australian Matt Glaetzer in Messrs Keirin’s rematch on day two of the commonwealth games.
2
2
The Hampshire rider was immediately treated by medics on track and once he regained consciousness, he was whisked away in a wheelchair.
He needed an oxygen tank to make his breathing easier and was then taken by paramedics to a hospital near the Stratford site.
Truman was in the wrong place at the wrong time on the final lap and had nowhere to go when two-time defending champion Glaetzer came down heavily in front of him.
Glaetzer’s skinsuit was ripped to shreds – one of his buttocks was exposed – and he looked shocked and distraught as he walked away from the 45mph incident.
It was a reminder that this sport can be extremely dangerous at times when the participants compete at high speed.
Sir Chris Hoythe sixfold Olympic cycling champion, said: “You race as close as possible to the riders around you.
“Matt Glaetzer got a box and went after Jack Carlin and fell to the right, and Joe Truman had nowhere to go.
“Your heart rate is at its maximum and the adrenaline is flowing.
“In Japan, they look like American football players with pads, but it slows you down. But with marginal gains and aerodynamics you try to find an edge whenever possible.
“It’s so rare that you have such a serious accident on the track as you do on the road when you’re training.
“It’s just one of those things that you deal with and it reminds us how tough these guys are and how brave you have to be.”
Olympic cycling Champion Chris Boardman was shocked by the crash, but was absolutely relieved to see Truman regain consciousness.
Boardman said: “Truman is awake and that’s enough to be honest. There was no movement for a few seconds and I felt pretty nauseous.”