New Visma-Lease a Bike signing Jed Smithson suffered a significant injury before he even made his season debut. The young 18-year-old British cyclist fractured his hip during a track race and will have to postpone his start of the season.
Accident interrupts preparation for the season
Smithson was hired last year and was preparing for his debut, in the under-23 category with Visma-Lease a Bike Development, when he suffered a fall while competing in a track cycling event. The fall resulted in a fractured pelvis, an injury that often keeps an athlete sidelined for at least two months.
The precise details of Smithson’s recovery and timeline for his return to racing are yet to be communicated by the team.
Smithson’s promising potential
In his final year, as a junior, Smithson showed remarkable performances in several competitions, such as winning the Nokere Koerse, fifth place in Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne and fifth place in Gent-Wevelgem. His promise as a cyclist is one of the reasons his absence will be felt from the Visma | Lease a Bike.
Visma-Lease a Bike issues official statement
The team issued a brief statement on the situation, expressing regret for the accident and wishing Smithson a speedy recovery. Check it out below.