Cycling: After collision with truck: professional cyclist Vakoc successfully operated on

The Czech professional cyclist Petr Vakoc, who was hit by a truck during training, has been operated on his injured spine in Nelspruit, South Africa. According to his team Quick-Step Floors, the 25-year-old then reacted to all stimuli and was able to move himself. Vakoc, who suffered from several vertebral fractures, is to stay in hospital for another ten days and then return to Europe.

“The past 48 hours have been long and nerve-racking, but we are happy that everything is looking good”, said trainer Keon Pelgrim:”Petr now needs a lot of rest and time to relax.

Vakoc was part of a three-person Quick-Step training group that was on the road in South Africa. Like Vakoc, the Belgian Laurens De Plus was admitted to Nelspruit hospital, but the 22-year-old was only slightly injured. The Luxembourg Bob Jungels (25), who had worn the pink jersey at the Giro last year, remained unharmed.