Junior World Champion Harry Hudson has fractured his vertebra in a training crash with a motorcyclist.
The collision occurred last week near Girona, when the 18-year-old, from Harrogate, was descending a climb on a training ride.
Writing on Instagram, Hudson described the crash as “pretty scary”.
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“After 24hrs in hospital I was released, unfortunately I have suffered a compression fractured [sic] in my T8 vertebra. I’m now at home recovering🙂
“This weeks been pretty rough but the support and help I’ve received from Lidl-Trek and Trinity Sports Management [Hudson’s agent] as well as other cyclists on the road immediately after the crash has been incredible.”
Among the messages of goodwill and support, former elite world champion Philippe Gilbert wrote, “That’s crazy! I wish you all the best for your recovery! Take your time chap you are young and have lots of time in front of you to come back (stronger)”.

Following two years riding for Harrogate Nova Race Team and Fensham Howes-MAS Design-CAMS, Hudson rose to prominence with victory on the hilly world championship course in Rwanda, winning with a 36km solo. He subsequently joined Lidl-Trek Future Racing, the development team of the WorldTour squad. He has spent the spring racing on the continent, in both elite and age-grade races.
The crash is the latest in a series of training crashes affecting pro riders, sometimes with fatal consequences. In February, 18-year-old Francesco Mazzoleni was killed by a driver in a in a collision while training.
And just yesterday, Caja Rural professional Jaume Guardeño was moved from intensive care to a specialist neurological injury centre, almost two months after being hit by a driver during a training ride. He was airlifted to hospital.
Meanwhile, former winner of the young riders classification at the Tour de France, Pierre Latour, was forced to bring forward his retirement after breaking his arm when he was swiped by a driver whilst training for his last race. Other pros hit during this off-season included Demi Vollering, Lorena Wiebes and Thibault Guernalec, the last of whom narrowly avoided life-changing injury.
