England star Joe Truman leaves velodrome in wheelchair and oxygen mask after horror crash KO as pundits ‘feel sick’
ENGLAND cyclist Joe Truman was knocked unconscious and suffered a BROKEN COLLARBONE after a horror Velodrome crash.
Truman, 25, was left needing oxygen and a wheelchair after he was accidentally wiped out by Australian Matt Glaetzer in the repechages of the men’s Keirin on Day Two of the Commonwealth Games.
The Hampshire rider was immediately treated by medics on the track and once he regained consciousness was taken away for more treatment.
He required an oxygen tank to aid his breathing and was then seen being taken in a wheelchair by paramedics to a hospital close to the Stratford venue.
Medical scans later revealed he had indeed broken his collarbone, thus ruling him out of the rest of the Commonwealth Games.
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 shaken and distraught as he walked away from the 45mph incident.
It was a reminder that this sport can be extremely dangerous at times as the competitors compete at high speed.
Sir Chris Hoy, the six-time Olympic cycling champion, said: “You’re racing as close as you can to the riders around you.
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“Matt Glaetzer got boxed and went into the back of Jack Carlin and fell to the right, and Joe Truman had nowhere left to go.
“Your heart rate is at maximum and adrenalin is flowing.
“In Japan they look like American footballers with pads but it slows you down. But with marginal gains and aerodynamics you try to find an edge where possible.
“It is such a rare thing to have such a serious crash in the velodrome than on the road when you are training.
“It is just one of those things you have to deal with and it reminds us how tough these guys are and how brave you have to be.”
Olympic cycling champion Chris Boardman was horrified by the crash but was absolutely relieved when he saw Truman regaining conscience.
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Boardman said: "Truman is up and that'll do me to be honest. There was no movement for a few seconds and it made me feel quite sick."
Jack Carlin went on to take silver in the men’s Keirin final behind Trinidadian Nicholas Paul but he felt sympathy for his former housemate and close pal Truman.
Scottish rider Carlin, 25, said: “It’s not easy seeing your pal on the ground like that – he’s a team-mate, I’ve known him a long time and I think he’s taken a good hit to his head when he went down.
“Joe's had a few issues during his career but he’s very strong-willed and he’s always come back stronger, so hopefully this is just a hiccup.
“Hopefully it’s not too serious, he’ll be back on the bike again in a matter of weeks and he’s got a lot to aim for – Nations Cup, the world championships in Glasgow and the Paris Olympics.
“He’s got time on his side and, knowing Joe, he will be back stronger than ever.
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“I would imagine he will be lying in a darkened room with the lights out because there will be a bit of concussion.
“I think Glaetzer went into my back wheel and I’m not sure what happened. I haven’t watched it back yet because it’s not nice seeing your mate go down like that.”