Johnny Hoogerland suffers fractured ribs after being hit by car on training ride

Vacansoleil-DCM says it will update further on his condition on Monday

Simon_MacMichael, February 3, 2013

Hoogerland on the Cipressa (© Daniele Badolato, LaPresse via RCS Sport)

Vacansoleil-DCM has confirmed that its rider Johnny Hoogerland has fractured some ribs after being hit by a car while training in Spain for the Tour Méditerranée, which starts in Limoux in the Aude department of France on Wednesday.

In a statement released this evening, the Dutch WorldTour team said:

This afternoon Johnny Hoogerland crashed hard while training. The rider of Vacansoleil-DCM was going slightly downhill when a turning car didn't see the rider and hit the unfortunate Hoogerland.

The 29 year old was taken to the intensive care of the hospital of Villajoyosa where they diagnosed some rib fractures and injuries that ask for extra examination on Monday.

More information on the condition of the rider will follow on Monday.

Hoogerland achieved widespread fame beyond cycling during the 2011 Tour de France when a France Televisions car hit fellow break member Juan Antonio Flecha of Team Sky, with Hoogerland, unable to avoid hitting the Spaniard, being catapulted into a barbed wire fence. He battled on to finish the stage.

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Poor old Johnny, not again. Speaking of that 2011 Tour incident, did the driver ever get charged with whatever is the French legal system's equivalent of dangerous driving?

posted by ubercurmudgeon [168 posts] 3rd February 2013 - 21:22

Went to court, trying to find a verdict... in meantime, here's a pic of the French lawyer with the video playing...

http://www.lamontagne.fr/auvergne/actualite/2012/05/11/tour-de-france-20...

posted by Simon_MacMichael [5997 posts] 3rd February 2013 - 21:39

Damn, nae luck! Get well soon Johnny, we want to see you attacking again!

posted by Dutchie [48 posts] 3rd February 2013 - 21:50

poor sod ... here's to a speedy recovery

still on the 3rd switch-back of Bwlch !

posted by therevokid [413 posts] 4th February 2013 - 7:56

Hmmm, best take him off the start list for the Tour de Med then...

posted by drheaton [1991 posts] 4th February 2013 - 8:48

Hope he heals quick , stupid car driver !

posted by ridetheroad123 [6 posts] 4th February 2013 - 10:17

Hope he recovers soon. I enjoy watching him and his team race.

Velotastic !

posted by badback [123 posts] 4th February 2013 - 12:05

"a turning car didn't see the rider"

What's the Spanish for SMIDSY?

posted by TheSpaniard [16 posts] 4th February 2013 - 13:13

in meantime, here's a pic of the French lawyer with the video playing...

Looks like one of those rounds in Question of Sport where Phil Tufnell gets to ham it up trying to identify some lesser known golfer in a 'comedy' photo.

posted by ped [68 posts] 4th February 2013 - 14:10

Get well soon Johnny, looking forward to seeing your attacking style again as soon as you are fit and able.