David Montgomery had been out for a training spin the day before the European U23 cyclocross championships in the Netherlands at the weekend when he was clattered by heavy-duty chains as the organisers worked to erect the start-finish line area. As well as suffering significant bodily damage that can only have hampered his preparation, the back wheel of his bike was badly broken...at a cost of around €700.
By Brian Canty
David Montgomery was Ireland’s sole representative in the European men’s U23 cyclo-cross championships in the Netherlands at the weekend.
The Chain Reaction Cycles man told stickybottle prior to the race that his wish was to give as honest an account as possible of his ability and that bad luck would steer clear of him on race day.
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And the combined U23 and elite national cyclocross champion got his wish when he finished a fine 33rd place in what was the hardest event he said he’s ever done at this level.
But bad luck visited him 24 hours prior to the race when he was pole-axed by heavy equipment that was used to erect the scaffolding at the start/finish area.
Montgomery’s injuries were considerable as he was clung by heavy-duty chains while riding on a flat tarmac section of the course.
David Montgomery was riding through the start/finish area on the course when he was accidentally clattered by some low-hanging chains used to construct the scaffolding.
“The bad luck came in practice the day before,” he said with a touch of gallows humour.
“I was up there at the course in good time and wanted to try some new wheels.
“Practice was from 2-4pm and I just rode two laps to get used to them.
“Then I come out onto the start finish and it’s this long, straight section with no pressure or anything to worry about.
“I went under the scaffolding they were still erecting on the course.
“There was a guy working beside a van so I rode around it, under the big timing display on the scaffolding.
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“I could see they were just about to hoist it using these big thick metal chains which were hanging quite low.
“I was clipping along, probably doing 18mph and I rode straight into these chains as they hoisted them and got completely clothes-lined.
“There were two chains and though I tried to duck the first one it hit my shoulder but I rode straight into the second one.
“It was like being on a swing; I went into the air a good five fet and landed on my head with the bike on top of me, on the tarmac.
“I smashed my head off the ground and broke the helmet. My neck was sore, my calf, knees, legs, back…it really wasn’t ideal…the race went as well as it could but the preparation the day before wasn’t!”
The force of Montgomery's collision with the chains saw him hit the deck pretty hard, his helmet taking the impact of the fall and shattering.
When Montgomery got up he had some choice words for the guys building it.
“They were saying the guy building it was meant to have it finished four hours before but the equipment arrived late.
“They obviously shouldn't still be building course during official practice.
“I was talking to the organisation after and they didn't know what was happening.”
Montgomery confirmed he’ll be filing a report, hoping to claim back some of his damages.
“I was hoping to use these wheels for the first time but the rim on the back wheel snapped so that was out of the equation…as was the €700 the thing cost!”
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