Cape Town - MTN-Qhubeka's Irish rider Matt Brammeier has suffered injuries to his lungs, pelvis and ribs after crashing into a service vehicle during the Tour of Utah.
VIDEO: Watch Matt Brammeier's horror crash (not for the faint-hearted)!
According to the Cycling Weekly website, Brammeier crashed during stage six of the race, when, attempting to chase back to the peloton, he came around a hairpin known as Guardsman's Pass and with a sickening thud hit the door of the car.
MTN-Qhubeka team medic Dr Jarrad van Zuydam said in a statement: “Matt Brammeier was involved in a high speed collision with a vehicle during the queen stage of the Tour of Utah. Thankfully, Matt has suffered no head, neck or spinal injuries and is currently stable in hospital. His musculoskeletal injuries are significant, however.
“He suffered rib fractures on both sides as well as a small pneumothorax. He also has fractures of the sacral and pelvic bones. Matt is unlikely to require surgery but will need some time to recover from his injuries.”
The 30-year-old posted a photo of himself in hospital on Twitter, saying “All good in the hood. Thanks for the messages”.
Brammeier signed with the South African team for the 2015 season. He was Irish national road race champion for four consecutive years from 2010 to 2013 and Irish time trial champion in 2011.
Unbelievably, Brammeier suffered a more serious injury back in 2007 when he was hit by a cement mixing lorry, breaking both his legs. Despite initially being told he may never rider again, Brammeier returned to racing around five months later.
MTN-Qhubeka shocked all and sundry at this year's Toru de France, finishing as the fifth-ranked team (out of 22).
However, mere days after the race finished in Paris, sponsors MTN announced they were pulling the plug on their sponsorship.
All good in the hood guys. Thanks for the messages. pic.twitter.com/SGB8NEssCF
— Matt Brammeier (@Mattbrammeier85) August 9, 2015