Degenkolb Released From Hospital

Jan 29, 2016 – Paris-Roubaix winner John Degenkolb has been released from hospital to continue his recovery from the severe injuries he suffered when he and five Giant-Alpecin teammates were mowed down by a car whilst training in Spain.

AFP/Yuzuru Sunada

Degenkolb suffered a severed finger, as well as a fractured forearm and a deep cut on his leg when an elderly English driver, understood to be driving on the wrong side of the road, crashed into the group in Benigembla near Alicante, in south-east Spain, on Saturday. The German rider has returned home where he will receive further hospital treatment.

“John’s left index finger was damaged in the accident and he will have additional surgery in Germany,” said team physician Anko Boelens.

“As a professional athlete, he needs the functionality back in his finger, and the recovery time for that is extremely difficult to predict.” However, there was good news on American Chad Haga, who will not need surgery on an orbital fracture. “Now the swelling has decreased and surgery won’t be necessary,” added Boelens.

“Chad will be able to leave the hospital and travel home to Girona, Spain, in the next few days.” Warren Barguil, Fredrik Ludvigsson and Ramon Sinkeldam have already returned home with Barguil and Sinkeldam expected to be sidelined for at least six weeks due to broken scaphoids.

Meanwhile, Max Walscheid will be out for months after undergoing successful surgeries on both his tibia and thumb in his native Germany.