Australian cycling ace Jay Vine has revealed his great excitement at taking his first steps towards recovery after the terrible accident which he feared would prevent him from walking again.
The 28-year-old cyclist from Canberra, who suffered a fractured skull and vertebrae in his high-speed fall into a roadside concrete ditch at the Itzulia Basque Country race last week, revealed he has been able to take his first steps tentative. his hospital ward in Spain after a “terrifying” period of uncertainty about his future.
Meanwhile, Vine’s wife Bre, a former cyclist who is pregnant with the couple’s first child, hailed his avoidance of an even more serious injury as a “miracle.”
“I’m doing the best that could be expected, I was able to walk around my room with the help of a walker and taking the first step was quite emotional after what I went through,” Vine said in an Instagram. mail.
“I just can’t believe that one day I will still be able to walk and play with my children – it was quite scary for a couple of days when we weren’t sure if surgery or neurological problems would occur.
“A long road ahead for my recovery, but I’m looking forward to the process moving forward.”
Vine was relieved when doctors ruled he would not need surgery for injuries he suffered in a high-speed spill on a downhill at last week’s Itzulia Basque Country race.
A group of other renowned riders, including double Tour de France champion Jonas Vingegaard and double world champion Remco Evenepoel, also suffered serious injuries in the same accident.
“Over the past few days, doctors and specialists have stressed to us how lucky Jay is to have ‘just’ these injuries, and nothing permanent or more life-altering, while explaining to us what could have happened,” he wrote. his wife.
“Which to be honest was disheartening for both of us to hear, we knew how close it was, but explaining it properly definitely puts things into perspective – Jay is VERY lucky.
“Don’t get me wrong, multiple fractured vertebrae and a skull fracture are very serious, but the fact that Jay didn’t cause more damage is honestly a miracle.
“Jay was able to take his first steps! As you can imagine, there was a huge wave of emotions on both of our parts when he was upright and able to take a step forward (very carefully).
“Even our little baby was excited that Jay was walking, so much so that Jay could feel his kicks on my belly for the first time.”
AAP
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