Spanish cyclist, 23, remains in critical condition in ICU two weeks after horror training crash

Jaume Guardeno at the 2024 World Championships (Albinfo/CC BY-SA 4.0)

Young Spanish cyclist Jaume Guardeño remains in a critical condition in intensive care, two weeks after a serious training accident. The 23-year-old has been hospitalised at Taulí Hospital in Sabadell since 31 March.

His team, Caja Rural-Seguros RGA, confirmed on Tuesday that "Jaume continues his fight in the intensive care unit of Taulí Hospital in Sabadell, where he’s been since March 31, when he suffered an accident while training."

Guardeño sustained severe head injuries after his bicycle reportedly struck a rock following a collision with a vehicle.

The team added that his condition "remains critical, although stable within the seriousness of his condition”, with constant monitoring and further procedures planned.

Guardeño had recently finished 29th in the Volta a Catalunya and 14th in last year's Spanish Vuelta. His team is set for its Tour de France debut this year.

Chris Froome had his own horror training crash last year (PA Media) (PA Media)

While cycling enjoys a resurgence in popularity, thanks to young riders like Tadej Pogačar, Mathieu van der Poel, Wout van Aert, Remco Evenepoel and Jonas Vingegaard, the sport's inherent dangers persist.

Recent incidents include Olympic champion Tom Pidcock's withdrawal from the Volta a Catalunya after crashing down a ravine, and Italian cyclist Debora Silvestri's hospitalisation following a fall during the women’s Milan-San Remo classic.

Four-time Tour de France winner Chris Froome was also involved in a horrifying training crash last year.

The 40-year-old crashed in training on the Cote d’Azur and was airlifted to hospital in Toulon, around 100 miles from his home in Monaco, where he underwent successful surgery.

He suffered a collapsed lung, five broken ribs and a fractured spine in the accident, with The Times later reporting that he had additionally sustained a pericardial rupture.

The injury is a rare complication of blunt force trauma, most commonly occurring after high-speed impact, which causes a tear to the sac surrounding the heart. Pericardial rupture has a mortality rate of between 20 and 60%.