Italian cyclist Lorenzo Gobbo suffers punctured lung after being impaled on huge wooden spike
WARNING GRAPHIC CONTENT: The 17-year-old suffered the gruesome injury at the European Under-23 and Junior track Championships in Ghent
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Italian cyclist Lorenzo Gobbo has suffered a horror injury after impaling himself on a huge wooden spike at the European Under-23 and Junior track Championships.
The 17-year-old has suffered a punctured lung with a three-hour operation required following the horrendous incident in Ghent, Belgium.
The half-metre splinter punctured through his back and out the front of his torso.
The dangerous splinter by the track was caused after a collision between a group of riders saw a pedal lodge itself into the floor to lift up the spike.
Gobbo remains in intensive care but has showed promising signs as he begins his recovery.
Chief executive Cycling Vlaanderen Frank Glorieux provided an update on Gobbo following emergency surgery at Jan Palfijn hospital.
"After the operation he is recovering well but stays in intensive care to prevent infection," Glorieux told BBC Sport.
"He said he would have won the race rather than make the newspapers this way.
"He could still laugh, but he doesn't want to ride on the track for the time being.
"He will have to find his courage.
"He should recover completely, but there is a long recovery time ahead for him."
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments