HIDDEN TRAUMA
For cyclists it is almost a duty to the sport and a point of pride to be seen as tough on two wheels. Quite often you will hear phrases like “don’t show them you are in pain” or “get straight back on the bike” as part of the lexicon of group rides, race commentary or in the wider media after a crash. These attitudes are often applauded by onlookers as a badge of honour for pushing through the pain barrier all in the name of competition.
Most of the time following that sentiment will only have minor knock-on effects but when it comes to concussions and head injuries the implications can be far more serious.
Tom Skujinš’s crash at the 2017 Tour of California while riding for Cannondale-Drapac showed just how the hardman mantra can affect riders’ attitudes towards injuries, so much so that Skujinš didn’t realise until 20 minutes after he crashed and suffered a concussion that he had also broken his collarbone.
“It’s definitely one crash that stands out,” Skujinš recalls. “There were a lot of circumstances that definitely didn’t help for a quick
