'I got really lucky' – German racer left with 50cm piece of wood lodged in hip after track crash

German track cyclist Moritz Mauss, aged 18, underwent emergency surgery after a dramatic crash at the International Belgian Track Meeting in Gent. During the Madison race, Mauss slid across the wooden track, causing a large splinter of wood measuring approximately 50cm to embed itself in his hip and upper left leg. The injury required immediate medical attention, with surgery performed within two hours of the accident to remove the dangerous fragment. Mauss, who rides for the UAE Team Emirates Gen-Z development squad, described the incident as a close call that could have ended his career. In a candid Instagram post, he revealed that the splinter narrowly missed critical nerves and most of his leg muscles, which significantly reduced the severity of the injury. Despite the seriousness of the crash, Mauss expressed gratitude for the swift medical response and the support he has received from his team and hospital staff. This is not an isolated incident in track cycling, as similar accidents have occurred in the past. Notably, Malaysian sprinter Azizulhasni Awang suffered a comparable injury in 2011, and Italian junior Lorenzo Gobbo underwent extensive surgery in 2019 after a 50cm wooden splinter pierced his hip at the same velodrome in Gent. These incidents highlight the potential dangers of wooden track surfaces in high-speed cycling events. Mauss is currently in his first season competing in the under-23 category after progressing from the German Junior Racing Team. He has already participated in prestigious races such as Paris-Roubaix Espoirs and Liège-Bastogne-Liège Under-23, with promising results including a ninth-place finish at the junior road race in the Rwanda World Championships last year. While he has not specified a timeline for his return to racing, Mauss remains optimistic about his recovery and future prospects, emphasising that the injury is just one part of his journey in the sport. Looking ahead, Mauss intends to use his recovery period constructively and maintains a positive outlook on the remainder of his season. He acknowledged the importance of resilience in cycling, stating that setbacks are an inevitable aspect of the sport. With continued support and determination, Mauss is hopeful that he will return stronger and continue to build on the progress he has made so far in his burgeoning career.