'It could have been a lot worse' – track rider has 50cm wooden splinter surgically removed after crash

German track cyclist Moritz Mauss suffered a dramatic crash during the International Belgian Track Meeting in Gent, resulting in a 50cm wooden splinter penetrating his hip and upper left leg. The 18-year-old, who rides for UAE Team Emirates’ under-23 squad, underwent emergency surgery shortly after the incident. Despite the severity of the injury, Mauss was fortunate to avoid damage to major nerves and muscles, which could have ended his cycling career. The accident occurred while Mauss was competing in the Madison event on the Olympic-sized 250m hardwood velodrome at the Vlaams Wielercentrum Eddy Merckx. The splinter came from the track itself after Mauss slid across the surface during his fall. He shared his experience on social media, emphasising how close he came to a potentially career-ending injury and expressing gratitude for the outcome. Mauss was initially reluctant to post graphic images of the injury but felt it was important to reveal the harsher realities of competitive cycling. He acknowledged that setbacks are part of the sport and remained optimistic about his recovery and future prospects. The young rider highlighted that the hard work he has put in this season is not wasted and looked forward to returning to competition after some unexpected time off. The International Belgian Track Meeting is a prestigious annual event that attracts junior, under-23, and elite riders, and Mauss is no stranger to high-level competition. He has previously medalled at the junior UCI Track World Championships and recently contested under-23 road classics such as Paris-Roubaix and Liège-Bastogne-Liège. The length of his recovery remains uncertain, but his resilience and positive outlook suggest he will aim to return to racing as soon as possible.