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German cyclist Moritz Mauss narrowly escapes a potentially career-ending injury after a horrific crash at the International Belgian Track Meeting, where a 50cm splinter of wood impales his hip.
What follows highlights the dangers of competitive cycling and the swift response that saved his career.
The 18-year-old rider for UAE Team Emirates Gen-Z was competing in the Madison event in Gent when disaster struck. During the crash, he slid across the wooden track, resulting in a piece of wood piercing his hip and upper left leg. Mauss underwent emergency surgery just two hours post-accident.
In a heartfelt Instagram post, Mauss recounted the incident, stating, "I got really lucky because the splinter missed my nerves and most of my leg muscles." He emphasized that he was just a few centimeters away from suffering a debilitating injury.
Despite the traumatic experience, Mauss remains optimistic. He acknowledges the seriousness of the situation, expressing gratitude for the quick medical intervention and support. With 25 road race days this year, including Paris-Roubaix Espoir, he looks forward to recovery, knowing it could have been much worse.

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