'I was hit by a motorbike and had a pretty scary crash' – British world champion suffers broken back in horror training-ride incident

British junior world champion Harry Hudson has revealed that he suffered a serious spinal injury after being struck by a motorbike during a training ride in Girona, Catalonia. The 18-year-old Lidl-Trek development rider shared the news on social media, describing the incident as a “pretty scary crash” that occurred on a descent. Hudson was hospitalised for 24 hours before being discharged, but he sustained a compression fracture to his T8 vertebra and is now recovering at home. The accident happened over a week ago, though Hudson only made the details public recently. He posted images of his hospital bed and X-rays showing the damage to his spine, highlighting the severity of the injury. At this stage, there is no clear timeline for his return to cycling, with the young rider focusing on recovery and rehabilitation. The extent of the injury means he will be sidelined for an indefinite period, raising concerns about the impact on his promising career. Hudson expressed gratitude towards those who assisted him immediately after the crash and throughout his recovery. He specifically thanked his team, Lidl-Trek, Trinity Sports Management, and fellow cyclists who offered support during a difficult week. The incident has drawn attention to the hazards faced by cyclists training on open roads, especially in areas with mixed traffic including motorbikes. As Britain’s first male junior road race world champion, Hudson’s injury is a significant blow to one of the country’s most exciting young talents. His breakthrough season in 2025 included victories at the junior Liège-Bastogne-Liège and the junior CiCLE Classic, culminating in his historic world title in Rwanda. The cycling community will be watching closely as he begins his recovery, hoping for a full return to competition in the near future.