South African cycle team MTN-Qhubeka won fans the world over for their impressive showing at this year’s Tour de France, shocking the cycling world by finishing fifth out of 22 teams.

Things are not going as swimmingly at the Tour of Utah, with Irish rider Matt Brammeier suffering extensive injuries after colliding with a service vehicle during the sixth stage of the race. The hairpin turn, rather ominously named Guardsman’s Pass, proved too hot to handle with this below from Sport24:

MTN-Qhubeka team medic Dr Jarrad van Zuydam said in a statement: “Matt Brammeier was involved in a high speed collision with a vehicle during the queen stage of the Tour of Utah. Thankfully, Matt has suffered no head, neck or spinal injuries and is currently stable in hospital. His musculoskeletal injuries are significant, however.

“He suffered rib fractures on both sides as well as a small pneumothorax. He also has fractures of the sacral and pelvic bones. Matt is unlikely to require surgery but will need some time to recover from his injuries.”

If you think this might be enough to convince the Irishman to hang up his cleats then think again, this is one tough Paddy:

Brammeier suffered a more serious injury back in 2007 when he was hit by a cement mixing lorry, breaking both his legs. Despite initially being told he may never rider again, Brammeier returned to racing around five months later.

If you’re not a fan of happy endings then you’re in luck, MTN yanking the team’s sponsorship just days after the successful Tour de France campaign.

Here’s hoping these high-speed prawns don’t take to practising around the streets of Cape Town – our road users can be even less forgiving.

[source:sport24]