- Jay Vine, 28, plunged into a concrete ditch at high speed
- An accident occurred last week during the race in Spain
- Aussie and his wife are expecting their first child
Australian cycling star Jay Vine has revealed he feared he would never walk or “play with my kids” again as he took his first steps in recovery from a “scary” accident in Spain.
Vine remains in hospital following the crash, which also killed reigning Tour de France champion Jonas Vingegaard and two-time world champion Remco Evenepoel during the race in Itzulia Basque Country last week.
Vine, 28, suffered a skull and vertebra fracture when he fell into a concrete ditch along the road at high speed. His wife Bre, also a former cyclist who is pregnant with their first child, said it was a “miracle” he was not injured. even worse.
After a ‘frightening’ period of uncertainty about his future, Vine said he had started walking in his hospital room in Spain and avoided long-term damage, but his recovery would be a ‘long road’.
Vine is pictured recovering in hospital after crashing at high speed into a concrete roadside ditch during a race in Spain last week
The 28-year-old was so badly injured that he still can’t believe he will be able to walk and play with his children once he fully recovers.
‘I’m following as well as I could expect. I was able to walk around my room with the help of a walker and taking the first step was quite emotional after what I went through,” Vine said on Instagram. after.
‘I just can’t believe that one day I will still be able to walk and play with my children. It was quite scary for a few days when we weren’t sure if surgery or neurological problems would occur.
‘A long way to go for my recovery, but I’m looking forward to getting the process started.’
Vine did not require surgery for the injuries he sustained during a high-speed spill on a descent and Bre emphasized how lucky he was.
Vine and his ex-cyclist Bre (pictured together) are expecting their first child
The crash that crushed Vine (photo) also killed reigning Tour de France champion Jonas Vingegaard and two-time world champion Remco Evenepoel.
“Over the past few days, the doctors/specialists have emphasized to us how lucky Jay is to have ‘just’ these injuries, and nothing permanent/more life-changing, as they explained what could have happened,” she said.
‘Which to be honest was scary for both of us to hear, we knew how close he was, but explaining it properly certainly puts things into perspective – Jay is VERY lucky.
“Don’t get me wrong, multiple broken vertebrae and a fractured skull are very serious, but the fact that Jay didn’t do more damage is honestly a miracle.
‘Jay was able to take his first steps! As you can imagine, there was a great rush of emotion in both of us when he stood upright and was able to (very carefully) step forward.
“Even our little baby was excited that Jay was walking, so much so that Jay felt them kick in my belly for the first time.”