Juan Mauricio Soler worried about his future after the Tour of Switzerland crash
Juan Mauricio Soler is still recovering from the brutal crash he encountered during the Tour of Switzerland 2011. The cyclist believes that his future in the sport is not certain, as he was badly injured.
He crashed during the 157.7 kilometre stage 6 from Tobel-Tägerschen to Triesenberg/Malbun at the event.
Juan was airlifted from the course after he collided with a spectator, which left him with a fractured skull.
The 28-year-old developed himself into a world class climber. The first big win of his career came at the Circuit de Lorraine after winning the overall classifications of the event.
Mauricio won the stage 9 of the Tour de France 2007, along with the King of Mountains classifications at the event.
He also won a stage at the Giro d’ Italia 2009 but his only win in the 2011 season came at the second stage of Tour de Suisse.
The cyclist was put in a medically induced coma as the doctors started operating his skull.
Dr. Robert Kretsch spoke before the surgery, “He has serious injuries, but we cannot say now if his life is in danger".
Soler was at second position after the stage 6 classifications, he was 54 seconds behind Damiano Cunego.
Mauricio has still not recovered from the crash. He mentioned, “The only thing that interests me is my recovery and only then will we see what will come after that.”
The cyclist received immense love and support from his fans across the world. He was overcome and showed his gratitude in return, thanking all his supporters throughout the globe.
Soler has now returned to his home in Columbia. He was very expressive emotionally, in front of the media, on reaching the Bogota airport.
He said, “It’s a really wonderful moment for me to be back in my country. Although I was born again in Spain, this has been a moment that I’ve long awaited”.
While thanking his wife Patricia, the Columbian briefed that she helped him throughout the time spent in the hospital. He shared that his wife really backed him up and took most of the burden on her shoulders.
Soler’s healing process will continue until May 2012, whereas his future will be decided after examining the mental and physical progress made by the cyclist.
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