Serious cycling accident for former ski champion

Former ski champion Hannes Reichelt has experienced a severe setback after a serious accident while riding his road bike. The 2015 Super-G World Champion broke his femur in the fall, necessitating surgery and a lengthy recovery process.

Reichelt, 46, shared the news via social media, posting photos from the hospital. He confirmed that the surgery was successful and that he is feeling well under the circumstances. "This is not exactly the kind of vacation I imagined. Unfortunately, I had a nasty fall with my road bike over the weekend and broke my femur," he wrote.

“

This is not exactly the kind of vacation I imagined. Unfortunately, I had a nasty fall with my road bike over the weekend and broke my femur.

This latest injury adds to a history of physical challenges for the Austrian athlete. Throughout his two-decade career competing at the highest level, Reichelt has faced multiple periods of forced rest due to injuries. Notably, he suffered a severe herniated disc injury in 2014 and tore his anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee five years later.

“

First, I need patience and peace, I have to diligently do rehabilitation exercises and gradually strengthen my leg.

Reichelt, who achieved 13 World Cup victories during his career (six in downhill and six in Super-G, plus one in giant slalom), retired from professional skiing in 2021. He now faces a prolonged period of rehabilitation. "First, I need patience and peace, I have to diligently do rehabilitation exercises and gradually strengthen my leg," he explained.

With a touch of humor, Reichelt announced he would keep his followers updated on his recovery journey. He expressed gratitude to the emergency responders who reacted swiftly, noting he was in the hospital in Schladming just twenty minutes after the accident. This cycling incident presents another difficult trial for the former world champion, requiring him to demonstrate patience away from the ski slopes as he works towards returning to normal life as a father and recreational athlete.

“

I will gladly take you through the next steps – rehabilitation, therapies, and the entire journey back to the role of a father and recreational athlete.