Edo Maas, the young rider on the Team Sunweb development squad, has been left paralysed after being hit by a motorist who drove onto the course of a race.
Maas (19), from Holland, his hit by a car driven by a member of the public who was able to drive onto the course at the recent Piccolo Lombardia in Italy.
While it was already known that he was very badly injured, news has emerged
today that he has been left paralysed.
Team Sunweb issued a statement on the crash and the Maas’s
condition some 10 days on from the incident.
“At Piccolo Lombardia, Development Team Sunweb’s Edo Maas crashed
into a car that had entered the parcours on the descent of the Madonna del
Ghisallo,” the team said.
“Edo was immediately transported to the hospital in Milano with
severe injuries, where he has remained since.
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“Team Sunweb and Edo’s family are extremely grateful to the medical
and nursing staff of Niguarda hospital for taking care of Edo’s injuries and
for their great compassion and commitment.
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“Edo is now fully conscious and has been awake for a couple of days,
and responds well to family and visiting team mates.
“The fractures to his back and the injuries on his face required
multiple intensive surgeries over the last week, all of which were successful.
“Edo is currently processing the diagnosis that the fracture in his
back has led to paraplegia, a loss of nerve feeling in his legs.
“At this moment it remains unlikely that functionality in his legs
will ever return, but fighting power and hope prevails.
At this stage no further information on Edo’s condition is available.
We ask to respect Edo and the family’s privacy, as they process this difficult
news. Another update will be provided when necessary.
“Whilst this won’t undo this devastating tragedy, we once again
call upon our governing body (UCI), to prioritise all of their time and
resources on securing and ensuring the implementation of safe race conditions
for teams and their riders.
“This week has been extremely difficult for the Team Sunweb family,
of which Edo and his loved ones are and will always remain a central part. We
send all of our strength and prayers to them at this difficult time.”
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