Thymen Arensman, the Ineos Grenadiers rider who crashed with 5km remaining on yesterday's stage at La Vuelta, has said he may not have survived without his helmet. The 23-year-old Dutch rider was among a group of riders to fall but he alone stayed down, and was taken from the scene by ambulance.
There was real concern for him as paramedics and race officials rushed around in a bid to treat him at the scene and the TV helicopter broadcast images live. However, though he broke some of his teeth, was knocked out for several hours and has no memory of three to four hours, he did not break any bones.
He was back on his feet today - sporting a badly bruised eye, with stitches, and wearing a neck brace. He said he had pain all over his body but was very thankful his helmet saved him from a much worse outcome.
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"I can think it was quite scary because I think I was out for a few hours. I can't remember three or four hours maybe. But I think I'm super lucky that I didn't break anything," Arensman said. "I think if I wasn't wearing a helmet I don't know if I'd still be here so I can really thank the helmet for that.
"As you can see, I miss some teeth and my neck hurts, which is why I'm wearing this beautiful thing (brace). And also my eye and my stitches. Actually, it hurts everywhere a little bit, my whole body, my knees, my arms.
"I think I'm just super lucky because it could've been really bad. My head hurts a little bit so I'm going to take it really easy now. I think if I was not wearing a helmet, I don't know if I'd (still be) here, so I can really thank the helmet for that.
"Thanks to the care of the doctor here and the whole team. I'm here at the team hotel and my girlfriend is here with me, and we'll travel back to the Netherlands today. I guess everything is quite alright."
